Thousands Occupy Wall Street: All Entry Points to New York Stock Exchange Blockaded
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 17, 2011, 12:35 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Marking 2-Months Since Birth of the 99% Movement
Thousands marched on Wall Street this morning, blockading all entry points to the New York Stock Exchange. 'People's mics' have been breaking out at barricades, with participants sharing stories of struggling in an unfair economy.
"I paid taxes and took care of my responsibility, and I'm struggling," said participant, Leah Lackner, 27, who had taken the day off work as a mental health counselor to join the protest. Her sign read: "I played by the rules."
57-year-old bond trader Gene Williams joked that he was “one of the bad guys” and said supportively, “The fact of the matter is, there is a schism between the rich and the poor and it's getting wider."
Participant and small business owner Jonathan Smucker confronted a Wall Street financial firm executive who held a sign that said 'get a job': "Ten percent of Americans are looking for work, most Americans are struggling, and you stand smugly in your suit and say to 'get a job'. You're insulting just about everyone in your country," Smucker said.
At least 200 people have been arrested so far for peaceful assembly and nonviolent civil disobedience, including retired Philadelphia Police Captain Ray Lewis. "All the cops are just workers for the one percent, and they don't even realize they're being exploited," Mr. Lewis said. "As soon as I'm let out of jail, I'll be right back here and they'll have to arrest me again."
Today marks two months since the start of Occupy Wall Street at Liberty Square. This movement has taken inspiration from global movements for social justice and democracy, including the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia. Occupy Wall Street, labor and community groups, and members of the 99% are celebrating the two-month anniversary of the movement here with a massive day of action.
"Our political system should serve all of us — not just the very rich and powerful. Right now Wall Street owns Washington," said participant Beka Economopoulos. "We are the 99% and we are here to reclaim our democracy."
In the wake of Bloomberg’s predawn raid of Occupy Wall Street on Tuesday morning, thousands of people throughout the five boroughs and the greater region are converging today to take peaceful action. Thousands are also taking action in at least 30 cities across the country.
**Schedule for New York Nov. 17 Actions:** 7:00am — underway — Shut Down Wall StreetParticipants gathered at Liberty Square at 7:00am, before the ring of the Trading Floor Bell, to confront Wall Street with the stories of people on the frontlines of economic injustice. All entry points to New York Stock Exchange were blockaded. 3:00pm — Occupy the Subway
We will gather at 3:00pm at 16 central subway hubs and take our own stories to the trains, using the "People's Mic". Click here for details. 5:00pm — Take the Square, Festival of Lights on Brooklyn Bridge At 5:00pm thousands will gather at Foley Square in solidarity with laborers demanding jobs to rebuild this country's infrastructure and economy. They will encircle City Hall and march across the Brooklyn Bridge, carrying thousands of handheld lights, as a festival of lights to celebrate two months of a new movement to reclaim our democracy. **Resist austerity. Rebuild the economy. Reclaim our democracy.**
Thank you for what you are doing. Without going into a lot of detail, I agree with Jonathan Huie that one major demand of the movement should be to reinstate Glass-Steagall Act by passing HR1489. Most economists predicted the repeal of Glass-Steagall would have the very damaging economic effect that has occurred. Please research the history of the Glass-Steagall and support HR 1489.
In addition, please support the efforts of AGs, like Beau Biden, who are trying to block Obama from making a lucrative deal with the banks--essentially letting them off the hook for their crimes. My husband, now 70 years old and in bad health, and I worked all our lives, paying our taxes, contributing as much money as we could to our 401k accounts and made extra contributions to our pension funds. All of us have been robbed (and I know the exact amount stolen from our 401ks and that's all we want returned--aside from what Congress, Bush and Obama, Bush II, gave in tax "Bail Out" dollars) by the Wall Street barons who think they are better, smarter, more deserving than the rest of the population. They are really thieves of the most despicable order, as are all of our politicians and "lawmakers" aka lawbreakers. They all need to be prosecuted, forced to liquidate all their ill gotten assets. and made to pay back everything they stole. My fervent hope is that every member of Congress and of the Obama administration is also held accountable and booted out of office. While we are at it, the American people should look hard at every state and local official and convict them in the court of public opinion for the corrupt, self-serving pond scum that they are and evict them from office asap.
Again thank you. I support every effort you are making to reclaim democracy in the US on behalf of the 99%.
That`s the spirit! Make them pay!
Your ilk just don't quit with the violent rhetoric.
No, is not violence. Violence is to make fortune on people misfortune. Violence is treating your own people with police force brutality. Violence is poisoning the air, water and soil in order to make profits. Violence is to feed people with unhealthy food products that make them ill. And so on. What I sad is JUSTICE.
So violence is justice? I don't think so, not to mention that, while I agree with your previous statements...how could one not if they really thought about is...this must remain non violent. We have the power of numbers.
Yes the justice can be violent. I see it in the Hollywood movies. All the heroes is making justice in a violent fashion. Don`t you agree? Is the American cultural standard. Although I am not an American.
I agree, with a large number of protesters you can remain nonviolent, but believe me, this will not make an impression on WallStreet fat cats. They believe in that cultural paradigm that I mention above. In my corner of the world is a proverb that say "every bird will end in it`s own language (song)".
I hope you are right and a nonviolent movement will prevail.
The process through which we promote Democracy cannot embody the same ethos as that which we are trying to correct. It does not make sense. Taking down symbols is a superficial change. The biggest change is that which has to happen in our minds and it has to be a collective action of honoring each other above and beyond what the status quo chooses to honor us. It means recognizing a persons intrinsic value and valuing labor, their talents and what makes them unique, as well as just like everyone else. I means sharing what needs to be shared. It means not valuing ones stature and occupation above another person. It is not simply unemployed people who are marching, but those who realize how precarious their own circumstances even with a job and a home. What is the value of a job, a title, a salary if it could, has been and likely will be taken away from you? It is not until more people realize that this movement is about them, about questioning the value of what they do for a living and questioning how it truly serves them and the world they live in. It cannot continue to be enough to a person to have a secure job...and this is a great time to shrug off this veneer. People will have to be willing to do different jobs and perform different tasks. In the developed world the ideal lifestyle that is promoted is largely artificial and divorced from the human condition. The status quo is arrogant, it is a ruse. According to Mayor Bloomberg and his ideal economic order, the super wealthy are the creative class and other people work for them...as vague as it is absurd. Clearly they are not creative enough, because we would have functions is society that were worth a damn. What they are good at is taking and destroying. Creativity is about creating and giving. When the NYSE sign comes down, if it comes down, it would be better if it goes down not as a ceremonious attack, but because of its basic lack of utility that is understood by the greater society.
I understand your point of view. I am afraid that the change you hope to see, and everybody else who started and participate the 99 movement, can not be done if your message do not spread your values worldwide. And that is not gone to happen because media is a part of this old, fucked up world. In my country a few people know what your message is about, and a little more know that some protester, a few hundred or maybe a thousand (that is what media says, if it says), are against the corporations. That`s it. Nothing more. Now, fight that.
Do not underestimate the power of symbols. If the NYSE do not come down (no matter how) nothing will be changed. That is 100% sure thing. Someone sad - “The revolution is not an apple that falls when ripe. You have to make it fall.” Now, if you just stay and pray the capitalism to fall nothing will happen. They (1%) are not stupid, they have the power. And that power have an armed arm. See what the police did? After that, ask the 1% nicely to step down. They will laugh you in the face. "Democracy is not compatible with financial oligarchy" - you can not say better than that.
If the sign is removed, they will simply replace it at this juncture. Too many people believe in it's legitimacy. Superficial change is not enough.
Wonderful movement. Wish I could be there with you.
"In this possibly terminal phase of human existence, democracy and freedom are more than just ideals to be valued - they may be essential to survival" -Noam Chomsky
Solidarity and greetings from Norway
yours struggleforfreedom
btw check out my article The Transition Phase: The Road To Freedom Thanks
we continue to vote these people into office.
"We"...that is apart of the problem, indeed. We need to start picking people who WE THE PEOPLE WANT, not who the banks or corporations want. The latter needs people, but people do not need them and they know this and they are afraid of this.
General Assemblies{Community, State, National by the people, for the good of all.not just a few..Everyone is elected, and part of the process..
Phil Gramm belongs in a dungeon. Is that cruel and unusual punishment for his bloodthirsty, selfish actions?
How dare you suggest that the movement should put forward a set of demands? This is totally and completely against the spirit of OWS. The message and the demands are the presence of the 99% in the streets and squares of this country. We are here and demand to be taken into account. We are not going to put forward demands that will then be negotiated over by politicians and lobbyists.
Sound stupid? That is because it is.
The movement does not have to be co-opted by the status quo. There are a lot of good people out there who have integrity.
Objectives are good thing. But thing about the bullshit (objectives) by which people are voted into power - "hope", "change", "American interest", "law and order", "homeland security", "god and country". They're all "objectives" and nothing - emotional transactions where you get good feelings and no power. Now, back to objectives, concern about politicians and lobbyist hoo-ha is absolutely valid. Point is: objectives need to be damn-near crystal clear, quantitative, with timelines, definite accountability, milestones etc Yes, occupy should have it but not having it is by no means an issue if we can elect so many into power on pretty much the same "basis". We've come to view the political fluff (jargon) as genuine objectives. Poor perception.
There is a lot of BS in the political system. At the same time, the people that actually know how to get things done (lobbyists for example) have extremely crystal clear objectives - this bill gets passed, this bill doesn't, that money goes here, that money goes there. Any movement that wants to make a change needs the same.
You may also notice that the same vague political BS is present in droves at OWS.
The point I was trying to make is, there's no special value in trying to discredit OWS when you are saying "Yes" or "No" to just different types of bullshit every 4 years.
The point is that the lobbyists are not going to do it for you ever. There may be over time, the odd person who will but not the massive majority. Get real. They're in it for sustained power and money.
They are just guys getting paychecks. They are mercenaries. They are employed by corporations, unions, PACs, various other groups. If OWS organizes and raises some money it too can have lobbyists. It can also have power by being able to ally with politicians that need votes. Without organization and objectives it is just a pointless bitching session.
You’re right, we are not, and should not put forward demands to be be negotiated over by politicians and lobbyists. Why? Because these people do not represent our best interests. Look at who our political leaders are: rich, white men, most of them middle aged. The same goes for our lobbyists (who are more or less just sharks who bribe our politicians so that things will work out in the interests of companies instead of people, which IS completely contrary to the occupy movement). How many of us in this country are wealthy, white men? How many of us feel that we can truly identify with our politicians? Even the most honest, rich, white man, does not know anything about the lifestyles and needs of people who do not pertain to this very small group that he is in. Therefore, he cannot possibly understand what our best interests are, let alone represent them for us. Even if we were to begin electing people of other economic classes, races, and gender identities, the responsibility to represent our best interests belongs to us. We know what we want. It is our responsibility to fight for it, and we are carrying out that responsibility by protesting, and making our voices heard. To assume that someone could, or would, speak on your behalf better then you could, and should, is what is really stupid.
Look... You are not going to destroy the system - there will still be senators and congressmen and lobbyists 10 years from now. The question is whether they will be your senators, congressmen and lobbyists or those of the rich white men. Either you get your hands dirty by plunging into the system to push for specific things that you care about or it will simply ignore you. Your cacophany of voices (socialists, libertarians, communists, etc..) spoken through 1000 different mouths on 100 different issues is just noise. Even the idea of 'our interests' is somewhat absurd until you actually figure out what those interests are as a group. At the moment all I hear is 'we agree that we are pissed off' and I have been following very carefully.
"you are not going to destroy the system"?? Maybe not. Maybe. In general (OWS & current scenario independent terms), read history - every single system has a lifetime usually defined by it's limits. The problem with this system is that people think there are no limits until they run right into the boundaries. Even if OWS or something like it (or completely different) established a new system, that too will have it's lifetime. Point is are evolving towards a world closer to our ideals (and we have made some progress towards that over the years) or are we going to re-hash the same system over and over again ad nauseum. "Your lobbyists??". There can be no such thing (unfortunately, human nature is such and that's why people chose democracy even though it might not be perfect) over the long-term unless it's you yourself.
OWS is not going to establish a new system. There is no ideology, no organization and no leaders. No similar movement in the past has worked. Even ideological and organized such movements have little chance of having an impact from outside the system. You can read about extra parliamentary opposition movements in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s.
As for your worldview.. Unless China and Russia are closer to your ideals than the United States, the world is not evolving towards them.
The system (representative democracy and capitalism) rehashes itself because it is probably the most stable system possible. Even if your movement forces dialogue on the national level your platform will just get co-opted by politicians. That is what makes the system stable. :)
"Your lobbyists" is precisely what it means - lobbyists that work for you and on behalf of your interests and ideology. It works. If it didn't, OWS wouldn't have the appeal that it does.
Maybe OWS maybe something else. The ideology is clear - gross inequity, and accumulation of power into too few hands and erosion of American deals must stop. China and Russia are or have been (they may be slowly changing - can't say at this stage) where the US might go if we're not careful. The American ideals are okay but the system is heading towards the opposite. Also, stop living in ideals alone - that's exactly what politicians use to get to what's real - power. Stability is not necessarily a virtue - and I doubt it even exists. Everything can be stable - Singapore is dictatorship: prosperous and "stable" (with high inequity and suppression of speech). The system re-hashes itself because people are afraid/deluded/gullible and man is still thinking using his caveman brain. Also because people haven't learnt to stand up against government regardless of suffering - without that no system changes. Some countries in Western Europe (sure, they're a little slower) have interesting blends. I like them. As for leaders, those who seek leaders must be slaves whether they realise it or not. I like the leaderless approach - it is the principle that must lead not a person. If that were to happen pretty much any system (free market - not capitalism, socialism, or communism) would market.
Gross inequality and the accumulation of power into too few hands is not an ideology. These are complaints against the existing order. An ideology is a cohesive framework which guides your actions towards a defined ideal end. Socialism is an ideology. Randian Libertarianism is an ideology. Nazism is an ideology.
Who is living in ideals? I am telling you that you need clear and specific objectives.
Have you ever actually been to an unstable country? I have and seen a country crumble. Trust me. You don't want that. Singapore is paradise in comparison (I was there a week ago. It is a really nice place except for the weather). Stability is most definitely a virtue. Read the outcomes in terms of lives lost and other suffering in countries that undergo periods of instability, civil war, anarchy, etc..
There has never been a successful leaderless movement. They usually devolve into either nothing or into terrorist groups. It is an approach that doesn't work in running large movements/organizations in the the real world.
i think they are trying something different. would you want to negotiate with a politican or a lawyer when it came to your money?
Because that is how it works. The flow of money is determined by contracts and laws. You need to have your own politicians and lawyers to get the best deals.
The demand for goals and objectives is a product of the 1% and those timid souls that cling to them for sustenance. The movement is the goal. The GA is the demand. Demands and goals are already met. If you don't get it it, you are the problem. It is not that difficult.
Let's say I am the problem. What are you going to do about it? Sit around and discuss issues for 4 hours before finding out that you can't get a 90% majority? Then what? You are going to sit on my lawn? Oooh scary. Honestly, I'll take 20 people that organize around goals and objectives over 1,000 that sit around and pretend that they don't need any.
As usual, you are using one logical level to describe or argue another. Your home budget cannot be used as an example to describe how a national budget should looks. Are you a politician? Part of the 1% OR those who kiss the asses of the 1% OR all of the above?
I am one of those that think that your movement is doomed to failure without leaders and goals. If that makes me a problem, then you have a lot of problems.
The whole 99%/1% thing is pretty retarded as well. The split is between people that whine about how the world isn't the way they want and those that understand that much of life is what you make of it. Until your movement figures out that goals and objectives are how you change the world your movement safely belongs to the former category.
The general assembly is the goal. The movement is the objective. If you were paid to figure this out, you would get it. If you lost your job and could not find work for a year or more except shining shoes and all of your money was used up because of an illness or accident,then you would get it. You obviously have not hit bottom. The way I see it, you are the one who is whining, but you didn't ask any questions, did you? Doomed?
There is a list has been for quite a while now... https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/
While I am a non violent protester, I must say that I have been quite put off by what I have seen this morning. I think that we need to steel ourselves for mass, non violent arrests. Police officers are not permitted to issue unlawful orders. If you want to pass through a street like Wall Street, and you are confronted by a police officer wanting to see ID, I believe his request is unlawful. We all have the right to walk wherever we choose. The officer needs to be told that his request is unlawful, and you should continue walking in your intended direction. If he attempts an arrest, loudly let him know that his intention to arrest is unlawful. Any violence used by the arresting officer while performing an illegal arrest can be defended against by whatever means necessary. I for one am ready to be arrested for love of my country, like the brave, retired Philadelphia Police Captain who voluntarily submitted to arrest this morning. They cannot arrest us all!
All for one, once and for all!
And what would you have done after being allowed to pass through the barricade? Block the entrance to the NYSE? Kind of ironic that you would complain about the police restricting movement when your goal was to restrict movement into the NYSE.
Since when does the law mandate police officers taking action before any law is broken? To stop anyone as they are walking anywhere and request ID is unlawful. Even worse, if I have a corporate ID, I am allowed to proceed, but if I have a US passport, I am not allowed to proceed. Who says my intention is to block entrance to the stock exchange? Who says the holder of a corporate ID doesn't intend to block the entrance to the exchange? In the name of freedom, everyone should have the right to walk where they want. Once they arrive, if they break a law, they can be arrested, however, if they are being arrested for failing to comply with an unlawful order, they have the right to defend themselves.
Refusing to move is also not illegal.
Also citizens are not required to represent the state, police are.
Good point, although, is this what the Patriot Act commands? My favorite quote, "What does one say to the fascist? Find a patriot."
police are citizens too and no that is not their job their job is to protect the citizens even if its against other citizens
The demonstrators are not attacking you, they are exercising their right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, the last rights that we may have left. Democracy is about freedom...you know, that thing we have allegedly been fighting for.
that is not what i meant
Sorry I misunderstood. What did u mean?
My goal (maybe others to) is not to restrict movement into NYSE but to burn down the place. Its illegal? Yes. Why to do that? Because we need to broke a damaged social structure before building a new one. That should be the goal.
NO, no, no. What needs to be broken down are the poisonous thoughts in our minds that make it seem rightful to treat people with disrespect and deprivation. The buildings can stay.
I almost agree, but some buildings are symbols. I was talking about destroying a symbol, this not necessary means you literally destroy a building, just some devastation, like pull down the NYSE logos (even burn them) and replace them with liberty symbols or equivalent. What really needs to be destroyed is the financial system of greed. The capitalist system must be shut down. Down with Capitalism, we want Democracy!
That is one place where movement of so many things, should be restricted, since it is part and parcel of the economic order that we pay for and get little in return from.
Right on! This may have been the same police captain who was on PBS Newshour on Monday. So how old are you Zendude?
I am 57. I am going to pick up my 8 year old daughter at school on 21st Street and 8th Avenue at 3. We are then going to go to our home on 23rd street via way of 8th and 23rd. It is time for her to get her first taste of what "democracy looks like."
Did you point out to her that even though that was what democracy looked like, that we live in a Republic?
Awesome. Please be safe.
So, how was it on 21st and 8th avenue at 3:00 with my 8 year old daughter? Well, of all the possible outcomes, when we arrived at the SW corner, we found about 30 people who were holding various OWS placards. There were perhaps another 30 on each of the other three corners. There could have been thousands, but at best there were less than 150 "demonstrators." This turned into a blessing and, I am almost embarrassed to say, a teaching moment.
As we were walking up to 23rd from 21st Street, I spoke with my daughter, all the while not knowing what we would find at our destination. I told her that today we were witnessing something that was historic and a great moment in our history, that people just like you and me, were standing up to corporate injustice all over the country.
I asked her if she had ever seen the flag that was emblazoned with "Don't tread on me!" She hadn't, and I started to explain that the image of a snake being tread upon was representative of our colonists who were likening themselves to benign snakes, that in a fight to protect themselves, could become the most deadly and frightening opponents in the world. I had to explain this from several points of view before she really understood, because she didn't quite get why anyone would ever want to tread on a snake. Exactly.
I also asked her if she had ever seen the flag emblazoned with the words "give me liberty, or give me death." She wasn't familiar with that one either, but I explained that when our country was founded, our fathers were willing to fight a fight, even if it meant that they would die, in order to obtain and preserve freedom. I explained that sometimes it was necessary to not only get arrested in the name of freedom, but to die for the name of freedom, because it is better to die than to accept injustice. She understood this and asked me if we were going to be arrested. I let her know not to be afraid and that fear was mankind's most ominous nemesis, that she should never be afraid if she was marching to the light, in the name of justice.
So, we arrived and stood on the side, and looked at the protesters. Then we crossed to the SE corner. There, while holding hands, we stood opposite from some demonstrators and continued to observe. I asked her if she would like to cross over and join them, to stand in solidarity with them. She was very reticent, and I assured her that it was alright to remain where we were, because both sides of the line were making history. She was getting cold, and we continued on home...
I don't think that this experience could have been any better for her. Long live the United States of America! Long live Occupy Wall Street! All for one, once and for all!
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Keep it up!! I admire you courage and spirit. You are doing what should have been done years age. Don't let Bloomberg and his thugs scare you off. They are obviously afraid of your numbers and growing power. I'll be down there tonight after work. For the first time since W was elected I feel that there might be some hope for this country after all. Thank you.
It's amazing to me how oblivious some people are to how corrupt the government is and how big banks have gamed the system. It's like a badge of honor for some to be ignorant to these indisputable facts.
TAKE THIS TO FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MACK??? They received the biggest federal bailout of the financial crisis!And nearly $100 million of those tax dollars went to lucrative pay packages for top executives.
The top five executives at Fannie Mae received $33.3 million in 2009 and 2010, while the top five at Freddie Mac received $28.1 million. And each company has set pay targets of as much as $17 million for its top managers for 2011.
That's a total of $95.4 million, which will essentially be coming from us, the taxpayers. Fannie CEO Michael Williams and Freddie CEO Charles Halderman are on track for 2011 are about $6 million a piece.
They are going to be asking this administration for up to another $100 billion in bailouts to keep them on top. WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE!!! OCCUPY FREDDIE AND FANNIE!!!!
And a presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich is making money off of it now.
Newt's been raking in the Freddie dough for some time.
I posted this very same thing last night and after running for an hour or two they shut my post down and deleted my tag once again. This is exactly why this movement will not succeed. They have the primary offenders in thier back pocket and are trying to shift blame everywhere else. What they don't get is that Wall Street in itself is made up of regular working folks and not where the laws are made that allow the greed. Until they march on DC and confront the real evil doers, nothing will change. Right now the majority of NYers consider them to be nothing more than a huge nuisance. I am sure with the OWS democracy policy, I wil once again be shut down. That's ok. Everytime they shut someone down that does not agree they show me just how biased and undemocratic they really are. You guys are losing support everyday by these antics.
Same thing happened with a comment I made earlier about the OWS overblown statements about blockading Wall St this morning. They never stopped Wall ST, they just made it a little annoying for people to get to work) Post went up and disappeared on hour later. This is starting to smell very "Fair and Balanced".
maybe they are removing anything that is negative..this site is for support. we can question their motives all we want but that is not going to help the cause.
In response to a comment that may have been deleted:
While most Americans have it better than most people in third world countries, we have been socialized into a system that has given us prosperity (the American Dream) and is now taking it away. This "social construction of reality" is all we know. This movement isn't all about the middle class not having money. It is about money in politics corrupting democracy. It is about rights, it is about reclaiming the values this country was founded on.
Thank you occupy!!!! I will be out today at 5pm - occupy Palm beach FL. I work hard and I support and I am the 99%
My personal thanks to Philadelphia Police Captain Ray Lewis. I am hoping that more police will join this movement. I am certain that the police across this nation are being hurt by the greed on Wall Street, just as the rest of us have. Many of their pensions were compromised.
We are the consumers, we buy their products, we give money to their businesses, we bank their banks WE THE 99% ARE POWERFUL we feed them with our money, We are important for them, we need to make them feel they can't abuse us anymore!!!
For those who carried this off with style, non-violence, and effective civil disobedience, etc. We applaud you in the far north.
Every time the authorities get carried away, and are documented on film/disc/live feed violating basic tenets within the Bill of Rights, which they -all- swore oaths to uphold, they inevitably draw more supporters to this Cause.
I wish I had stayed there long enough to have marched this morning with you!!
Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing your progress this P.M.
BTW, the fact that they're utilizing Homeland Security and the FBI to coordinate efforts against the Occupy Movement, says -exactly- how seriously this thing is being taken by the established goons who protect the folks who robbed trillions of dollars from their own investors.
Viva la revolution!!
I would like to know the reason that some one had to put their cigarette out on my BMW this morning. I am 24 years old and started a company while I was still in high school. I choose to live on Wall and am constantly harassed by you guys. I am not a banker but an entrepreneur. I am not a follower and thats why I am successful. You guys need to be more constructive with your time... I had to change gears because of the economy and you must too it is an embarrassment what you are doing.
First i agree destroying property is not going to fix a damn thing. It is good you have the opportunities to start a business and be successful. It is good thinking to change your business strategy with the social paradigm.
When your business starts going belly up due to bad decisions you have made then what? Should American taxes be spent to make sure your company stays a float? Should the American people as a whole(this includes you) be asked to pay more taxes and get less from the taxes they contribute? So we can pay back another country the 700 billion dollars we donated to banks. Keeping high paid executives fat and happy without having to worry about getting their pay cut or losing money on the stocks they own? When they pass the budget cuts who do you think will pay? Do you think bank executives will cut their own pay from the top down making their bank more profitable? Or will they make sure dividends are paid and salaries and bonuses continue to flow? Even though they are crying the banks are going under they continue to pay millions in salaries and bonuses to bank executives. The same executives that said there is no money and without help the economy will fall.
Who's economy are they talking about? My economy fell long before the banks started crying. Of course now we have no idea where the money is being spent that the banks were given. We the people are being forced out of our homes, and losing our jobs. The people who have jobs are being asked to do the work of 2 people and take a pay cut. We the people are paying more for health insurance all the way down to a glass of milk. Why? So we can continue to pay million dollar bonuses to a few individuals? So salaries can stay high as the bank changes it's business strategy? I give no sympathy towards banks and large corporations until they start making decisions that actually work for the economy as a whole. If a company has no money then they need to start paying everyone less not just the guy building their products for them.
Stop the Thanksgiving Day parade...stop Black Friday...stop Christmas...stop $$$ and GREED
do you have any kids or family? those are important days in history and holidays that we celebrate and its selfish of someone to want to take that away from others you do not have to go to the parade you do not have to go shopping on black friday and you do not have to celebrate christmas but you also dont have the right to take it away from others
This is way bigger than a parade. It's time that Americans woke from their dream and realized we were witness to the crime of the century. Wall Street stole so much money it’s inconceivable that the populace would just stand around and let it continue. Rules need to be changed, fixed, and the bankers who perpetuated the fraud need to go to jail. Fraud is a crime. Wake up!
Not ALL bankers did it. My family members certainly did not and not everyone is guilty of fraud. Only a few people. Are you really that selfish?
im not sleeping you are, stopping a parade is only going to bring peoples spirts down as they are trying to do their thanksging tradition and celebrate their holiday you have no right to take that away from people that i think is far bigger than a protest, and your right high powerful people on wall street did steel money but not all of them did and they are not affected by this protest at all so why dont you wake up and see that you are not protesting in the right way and stopping a parade is not going to help you
Moron.
If this Aint what America is All about... What FOR the People, and BY the People is... The Quest for the American Dream has been,.. What Liberty, Freedom and Apple Pie is fought and stands for .....
Then there is no such thing as 'An American'!
Marlow.
This "Other 99%" livestream ( http://www.ustream.tv/theother99#utm_campaign=synclickback&source=http://occupywallst.org/&medium=9488285 ) is definitely worth watching. But oh, I wish the site had an "Ignore This Idiot" button I could press to deal with the trolls that infest its chatroom.
I want to declare my solidarity with OWS. I spent N17 occupying a beach in Thailand. It was rough but someone has to stand up for the 99%. Together we can not be stopped.
Hardly believable. You clearly are not aware that Thailand is not so much a paradise, what with the flooding which is a major natural disaster. Where to next, Japan?
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously this time.
Protests get attention, but we also need specific demands and achievable short-term goals.
The most immediate impact is to demand passage of HR 1489 to break up big banks. HR 1489 has 54 co-sponsors including 4 Republicans and 90% of those Americans who have heard of HR 1489 support it. It can become a reality soon is we all take action to demand it.
We the People put our necks on Wall Street's guillotine when we allowed the Glass-Steagall Act to be repealed. Reenacting Glass-Steagall (HR 1489) is the first step to limiting the power of big banking to destroy American lives.
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously this time.
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Great job, guys, as sombody says here "no one said life was easy",yes, life is never easy, so everyone needs to fight to get what he/she wants, and since it is the system that is wrong and evil, and since it is this evil financial system that prevents the vast majority of Americans from getting what they want and realizing their dreams, the first target of OWS is rightfully this financial system. The only lazy people in this world are the Wall Street "fat cats" and their likes, and since they are lazy, they need find ways to manuipulate and exploit others, and since they are lazy, they have to prosper on fraudulent behaviors. But this is exactly what OWS is trying to stop now. Keep up all the good work, and you guys have the support and repsect of all those in the world who have a sense of justice! ~acarefreeman
The Chinese have a saying, "It is not the lessness of the amount of wealth that should worry a society; it is fairness and justice." ~acarefreeman
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously this time.
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously this time around.
I said it Earlier.. and i will Say it Again,...
... If this Aint what America is All about... What FOR the People, and BY the People is... The Quest for the American Dream has been,.. What Liberty, Freedom and Apple Pie is fought and stands for .....
Then there is no such thing as ..'An American'!
Marlow.
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously
I would like to know the reason that some one had to put their cigarette out on my BMW this morning. I am 24 years old and started a company while I was still in high school. I choose to live on Wall and am constantly harassed by you guys. I am not a banker but an entrepreneur. I am not a follower and thats why I am successful. You guys need to be more constructive with your time... I had to change gears because of the economy and you must too it is an embarrassment what you are doing.
still havent heard a 'personal' story by any of the ows and Im really interested in what brought them out in the first place. Ive been through a lot of hardships in my life and I did my best with what I could to survive. Still doing it. So I would just like to hear the ppl stories that are down there at Z park. Because the way I see it, most are my sons age or younger and never had to ride a bike to work, went hungry for days or were homeless at 17 with a one year old. Yall have Iphones, cars and your parents to support you. I, unlike you, ever had that privelage. I am listening to both side and I can see everything pretty clear from both sides and right now Im not picking either side, Im just watching. Though another question I have to ask, since I never put myself in that position, how is it a person can have a venereal disease, the flu freeze there ass off in a tent, go without a shower or bath and use Mc Donalds, the biggest coorperation in the world, to use the restroom? I just cant imagine being sick, cold, and in a tent fighting for something that other people claim they are laughing about. I seriously would want to go 'home' take a nice hot bath and chill in a nice warm bed and figure out what the 'next step ' is. Because yes, I 100 percent agree this country needs changing. Im WITH you on that, there just must be a better way by now to do it. I would think?
OWS is shutting down businesses, laying off people and preventing tourists from comnig to spend money in Lower Manhattan. And the cops you think are working for the 1% have several jobs just to make ends meet. They don't get paid squat. So get your facts straight before you go marching and protesting things you THINK you understand. Lobby for your cause but don't hurt businesses in the process. You are setting a bad example for young people.
"If you're jealous of the rich get off your ass and become one! There's no secret to success... It involves educating yourself, living within your means and working hard towards your goals. Stop mooching off people and living off borrowed money and you might find yourself going the right direction in life rather then trying to ride the coat tails of others that were willing to work for their success"
We the people gave 700 billion dollars to failing banks. Banks that pay salaries well beyond the profit margins of the banks. The US government made this possible. Government officials profited from bank lobbyist by DE-regulating how banks do business so they did not have to keep the money in the bank that they were using to back loans. To arrogantly say get off your ass and become one just shows how ignorant or blind you are to the actual reality that is the American economy. Not everyone can own a business there has to be someone to actually do the work and make the widget you want to sell to everyone else. So if those workers have no money to spend then it becomes a downward spiral. No money to buy anything means jobs are lost which in turn causes no money to buy anything and more jobs lost. Wall street does not produce anything. There is no latest and greatest gadget to be had for the billions that have flown through a few people's hands. They bet on other companies to make money. Unfortunately it has become less of a bet and more of a sure thing when politicians allow financial firms to play with large sums of money and demand they get compensation for it. 50 years ago playing the stock market meant just that playing. You took a chance at losing your money in hopes you would profit by holding shares of a company you trusted to actually make a profit. Now these large companies have lied, cheated and stole to make sure those dividends are paid out higher and higher each year. Backing their bad investments and large salaries with tax payers money. The bailout for the banks just made the stocks of those companies worth money again, tax payer money.
"Get off your ass and become one". It don't work that way buddy. You're dreaming the American living. Some make it out of hard work and some (maybe even many) out of the hard work of others. It's the latter that the occupy guys are up against. There is such a thing as limited resources. And you have to deal with vicious loop of wealth - outsourcing jobs to lower wages, working people 10+ hours a day and paying less. There are limits to the "work hard and get wealthy" approach - quite restrictive limits.
Have you all forgot, over 75,000 killed, 100s of thousands injured just in the usa 99-04, Yes Merck, Viox. and since then there the pushing of there useless vaccines on the old and our children.
how do you know their useless did you do the research and testing on them yourself!
Stay peaceful, Stay Strong!!!! Thank you Occupy!!!!
Change is in the wind. People who say OWS is disorganised and without a message just don't get it. Perhaps they are just fine, have theirs and don't want to rock the boat. So, others must rock it. So be it.
no you just dont get it these are people observing from the outside and this is how it looks
OWS: I can't stress this enough! Please consider what I witnessed and participated in during the 60's; a consolidated effort on the Capital. Embracing and trying to incorporate the Truckers and transit unions. THIS would affect those that have given the power to Wall Street...THE CONGRESS! Shut down the beltway, make those arrogant elected officials understand the voice of the people who they wish to ignore. During the 70's, on the issue of price increase of gasoline, the TRUCKERS really put a kink into things in D.C. and across the Nation. I would recommend getting with Jimmy Hoffa, Jr. and working in concert on a coordinated effort. I wish my health was better, I'd be out there once again to GIVE 'EM HELL! I'm with you and so are my prayers.
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously this time.
Has anyone thought this through? Without banks, Wall Street and big and/or small business, how will there be any jobs? How will you feed your family?
They can do business - we just don't want them buying our government!
By working productively. Walls Street and the banks suck life and productivity out of society.
2 words; 'credit unions.'
Ever heard of factories? How about construction? Labour? How about agriculture, you know, farming and such? Physical production of good has existed well before any 'Wall St.' ever did, let alone banks. How will I feed the ones I love? I could always go back into road construction instead of being a student, and working at a Quizno's.
The theory behind a bank, or something like Wall St. isn't so bad, as it can help a new business or idea get off the ground through loans and investments, but to think that's all that's going on in these institutions is rather naive...
OWS: Please consider what I witnessed and participated in during the 60's; a consolidated effort on the Capital. Embracing and trying to incorporate the Truckers and transit unions. THIS would affect those that have given the power to Wall Street...THE CONGRESS! Shut down the beltway, make those arrogant elected officials understand the voice of the people who they wish to ignore. During the 70's, on the issue of price increase of gasoline, the TRUCKERS really put a kink into things in D.C. and across the Nation. I would recommend getting with Jimmy Hoffa, Jr. and working in concert on a coordinated effort. I wish my health was better, I'd be out there once again to GIVE 'EM HELL! I'm with you and so are my prayers.
Excellent point. ~acareman
This is proving to be only the beginning. This is an amazing opportunity for not only Americans, but the entire world to disarm the enemy. Keep it up.
More Power to Occupy Wall Street. Be Strong. Protect Each Other. Fair-ness.
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously this time around.
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Congratulations and good luck to all out there.. Be careful; be as safe as possible. I don't agree with everything that the various occupations say or do, but I do agree that we have some serious problems in this country that need fixing, and thank you to the OWS people all over the country for reminding us of these problems and for believing that we can make a difference.
Occupy Wall Street made no difference on Wall Street. Give it up.
George Vreeland Hill
Thank you for what you are doing to shut down Wall St.
On the next attempt to block the exchange it may serve well to remember that the traders arrive there well before the opening bell. Peace .
Wall Street Banks' stocks took a beating on this day.
http://www.mersinc.org/contact/index.aspx
let them know we know that they are under investigation
It is convenient to protest against Wall Street, but they are the wrong target. Washington is the enabler.
yeah! shut those bitches DOWN!!!
It is absolutely disgraceful that in all the countries that say they are democracies there are NO DEMOCRACY PLACES or SPACES!
Suggestion:
Focus on NYC nearly exclusively. Strength - and visibility - in numbers.
Coordinate buses, flights, etc. to Wall Street location from satellite protests. Ride, fly, etc. to Wall Street, stay (say) two weeks, rotate out.
Maintain healthy numbers at Wall Street, attract media attention to the "Freedom Riders" en route.
Have there been any organized efforts to set message banners on highway overpasses at routes into the city: GSP, Turnpike, etc.? I'm thinking of one that would read:"Police want martial law" or "This is a facist state", given that the funds and training the police have received (since 9-11) to counter outside threats are being utilized now to put down our own populace.
Where is Bloomburgs name on this list. http://patrioticmillionaires.org/
Seems to have worked sounds about right! Used to be free to study here in Vienna /Austria too but they are implementing fees now cause our big brother America has schooling tuition fees too. Now we got to start picking up loans here in Europe too to study. Crazy but true our medical is free too now but they re also thinking about changing our free medical system too.American style's better cause it makes more money.
what the fuck is a flame war?
Our generation protested the Nam war; many decades have passed since. I often wondered, what happen to the passion for what is right and intolerance for what is not? In the last 100 years the Government has stripped us of our Human Rights. Our middle class destroyed by Corporate America. The system is not working anymore. Our politicians have become ineffective because they are owned and paid for by the Corps. The mentality of governing will never change unless the leaders lead and the safety and wellbeing of its citizens are priority over revenue. We are being exposed to a not so Smart Grid which is exposing us to deadly microwaves. The Spectrum being used to transmit these radio waves are not biologically compatible with our bodies. It is not compatible with our wild life. The Microwaves are leaking into our evnvironment so we are exposed 24/7 to this radiation. The by-product is also Noise in the form of pure tones. Pure tones are considered a noxious air pollutant. It was regulated by the EPA in the 70's. Pure tones effects our neurological system. It causes iindividuals to become violent and some suicidal. The noise is being heard across North America and Canada. The Regulatory agencies ie., Government will not admit this pollution exists. If this proliferation is not abated and a safer alternative replaces it we will be too deeply impacted healthwise to fix all of the issues we desperately needs urgent attention. Please visit www.sandaura.wordpress.com to read more. Do you hear the constant low frequency noise in your homes and or outside in our air?
i cannot speak one way or the other...i am at home. hoping that change will come that someone else will change the world for me. you are right we need to grow up. waiting for others to do what I should be doing! alot of us have benefited from movements in the past and did nothing to participate in it. so i say thank you to all the people who have slept on the hard cement in the cold to help me and my family...i wish i had the guts to do what you are doing but i am afraid of the police and i shouldn't be. i am afraid to live outside in the cold.i am afraid that all my energy will be in vain. because i know that some people rather hate and find every reason to put others down who are only trying to make the world better and end the insanity of greed that has ran rapid through out the WORLD!
It's the policeman's right to arrest if the protesters are blocking the street. Civil disobedience is breaking the law. It is the policeman's job and obligation to arrest those breaking the law. Civil disobedience is intentional breaking of the law. Don't cry and whine when you are arrested for breaking the law. Why are you allowed to block workers from accessing their work, or keep people from boarding the subway, or people to use a PUBLIC park by camping, but police are not allowed to protect those workers, keep the streets and bridges clear for all traffic, etc. A little double standard there I think.
they came to the subway station near my school today. even though i'm just a high school kid, the person was really nice and seemed to really want me and my friends to go to Foley Square. But I cant, not tonight, 3 tests tomorrow, and 2 essays due tomorrow. but i support the 99% fully. Be safe everyone who's going!
We are so excited to read all that went on today in NYC............we wish we could be there but are so proud that people came to march and speak for all of us in the 99%..........bless you all!
okay, it seems that the link to my piece did not stick and in the name of shameless self promotion I am doggedly making it so...albeit for the left.
http://experiencetulsi.blogspot.com/
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously this time.
Come on people, take the streets. Be what you want to be for a day. Be yourself. I know you all feel that, deep down in your soul. Show the world what you are capable of. MAKE CONSUMER-CAPITALISM HISTORY!
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously this time.
Hmm...the mafia in uniform. What have signed up for with rule of law? Who's making and controlling the laws that rule? What are the loop-holes of those laws? So much for the "supreme court". So much for "justice". America is evolving into the diametric opposite of it's ideals - not that those who framed those ideals were necessarily going to aspire for them. Keep fighting! Employed or unemployed - fight all the time. If you stop, give respite, the 1% or 10% (basically, the elite in power) will exploit you more using your own causes as bait. Be wary of your agreements more than your disagreements - your demands will be exploited. That's how the criminal with finesse (elite) thinks.
I would like to know the reason that some one had to put their cigarette out on my BMW this morning. I am 24 years old and started a company while I was still in high school. I choose to live on Wall and am constantly harassed by you guys. I am not a banker but an entrepreneur. I am not a follower and thats why I am successful. You guys need to be more constructive with your time... I had to change gears because of the economy and you must too it is an embarrassment what you are doing.
I still havent heard a 'personal' story by any of the ows (in the park) and Im really interested in what brought them out in the first place. Ive been through a lot of hardships in my life and I did my best with what I could to survive. Still doing it. So I would just like to hear the ppl stories that are down there at Z park. Because the way I see it, most are my sons age or younger and never had to ride a bike to work, go hungry for days or went homeless at 17 with a one year old. Yall have Iphones, cars and your parents to support you.(?) I, unlike you, never had that privelage. I am listening to both side and I can see everything pretty clear from both sides and right now Im not picking either side, Im just watching. Though another question I have to ask, since I never put myself in that position, how is it a person can have a venereal disease, the flu, freeze their ass off in a tent, go without a shower or bath for days? (wks?) and use Mc Donalds, the biggest coorperation in the world, to use the restroom? I just cant imagine being sick, cold, and in a tent fighting for something that other people claim they are laughing about. I seriously would want to go 'home' take a nice hot bath and chill in a nice warm bed and figure out what the 'next step ' is. Because yes, I, 100 percent agree this country needs changing. Im WITH you on that, there just must be a better way by now to do it. I would think? And yes, I am a one of the 99 and I have a job....
I love you guys keep up the faith.
OWS= Ignorance
Here is a list of demands for the children. They also want Barbie dolls and Tonka trucks. http://occupywallst.org/forum/proposed-list-of-ows-demands/
Why don't you follow a practical goal that is achievable and turn your energies to a campaign for a transaction tax on the trading that bankers do? The 'Robin Hood Tax' offers such a practical solution and is on the borderline of being passed by the European Union, if the United States brought it in too then it would make it harder for bankers to dodge it:
'In a nutshell, the big idea behind the Robin Hood Tax is to generate billions of pounds – hopefully even hundreds of billions of pounds. That money will fight poverty in the UK and overseas. It will tackle climate change. And it will come from fairer taxation of the financial sector. A tiny tax on the financial sector can generate £20 billion annually in the UK alone. That's enough to protect schools and hospitals. Enough to stop massive cuts across the public sector. Enough to build new lives around the world – and to deal with the new climate challenges our world is facing. As a result of the financial crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has calculated UK government debt will be 40% higher. That 40% equates to £737 billion pounds, or £28,000 pounds for every taxpayer in the country. Having to pay back that debt means cuts in vital services on which millions of people around the country rely. Total cost to the UK of financial crisis in terms of lost output according to the IMF was 27% of 2008 GDP. So it's time for justice. It's time for justice for ordinary families and businesses. For the one in five British families faced with a choice between buying food or paying the heating bill. For the millions of people around the world forced into poverty by a financial crisis they did absolutely nothing to bring about. The Robin Hood Tax is justice. The banks can afford it. The systems are in place to collect it. It won't affect ordinary members of the public, their bank accounts or their savings. It's fair, it's timely, and it's possible. It is an idea for which the time has come.'
More details available from: http://robinhoodtax.org/
Or see the video: http://youtu.be/qYtNwmXKIvM
Banks and financial institutions need to be regulated. They don't care if a small percentage gets lost from their huge profits. If the poor have to benefit from the scrapings of the transactions of the wealthy, whereas these transactions themselves are the cause of poverty, then this whole robin hood tax is a perverse incentive.
http://www.amazon.com/Throw-Them-All-Out-ebook/dp/B0062N35X8/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_t_3 This is a great article on how congress get's rich.
should lessen harassment of TSA on innocent citizens. STop calling inocents Anti-American! the stanford experiement-
SHAME ON NYPD!!!!!! NYPD are Bloomberg's bitches!! Go Occupy!!!!!!
I was there this morning. Wall Street didn't get shut down today. OWS did not "blockade" every entrance. The Police did that. OWS caused a minor disruption to Wall Street workers getting to work. Quit spinning your reporting with exaggerations and hyperbole. It's not consolidating your support base, it's eroding it. Be proud that a couple of thousand people went to protest this morning, don't try and claim victories that simply didn't happen. Good job on the photo. Gives a very misleading image of what actually went down today. But I guess that's just good photojournalism.
Never heard of propaganda? Well, as you likely know, it is a method of polishing the truth to create support for your cause. OWS is not the only group creating propaganda here, and sometimes the only way to fight propaganda; is with more, opposing, propaganda. More people will come out to the protests if they think plenty of other people already are.
It may have been a lie, but it made someone feel proud.
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously this time.
I believe this is the perfect time to have captured the attention of the entire world: right before the holidays! If "solidarity" is a purpose, this is a time when solidarity can actually serve a purpose and make a strong impact on our economy and on people's lives. Some of us have lived long enough to remember when self-sufficiency was actually attainable: the 1970s. That's when our economy first started this downward slide, and graphs show the inverse relationship between corporate expansionism and income/wealth distribution in our country. I predicted our economic collapse 16 years ago. How can OWS help? In much the same way "Move Your Money" was successful, a new campaign to move money away from mega-corporations into small businesses for holiday shopping - "Occupy Small Businesses" from now through December 24. If we all make a commitment to spend at independently-owned, family-centered businesses that EMPLOY people in our communities, not only does that help to eventually return us to a state of self-sufficiency, it brings back accountability (tax dollars stay here - no more offshoring jobs).
oh you should also know you didnt start your protest early enough to stop the new york stock exchange i know people who work on wall street and they go to work really early almost every day and why would you want to spend your thanksgiving trying to stop a parade what about the kids who want to watch that parade again you are not thinking your being selfish and hurting innocent people in the process not to mention all those people who work their got jobs your just in the wrong profession try financing if you cant beat the system be part of the system
Tomorrow 18 and from Tahrir Square Egyptians will send American ppl a very big hug
Have a LQQK if you can! Dankeshon.
http://experiencetulsi.blogspot.com/
My last, or latest post titled Money Changes Everything...
I feel bad for those cops out there working for the 1%, getting wet, working long shifts, while the 1% fat cats are sitting in their leather recliner, next to their fireplace watching their multiple screens and how their stock goes up and make billions of dollars in minutes, caring-less for the their poor human resource (us) who doesn't have a job and are losing their homes because they only do what's convenient for them. Do you think they really care?? They need slaves to do the dirty job for less than .00001% of what they make, so they can get richer. We CAN stop that! go 99% we are powerful and they need us !!
You have some legitimate issues, but you are protesting in the wrong place. You should be in Washington in front of the White House and the Congressional building. That is where the true corruption and abuse of power is taking place. The more power the government takes, the less power the people have. Its as simple as that!
Government doesn't have the power, you still blind, its those billionaires who buy and sell everything with their money....Unfortunately they can also buy the congress and the senate, that's why they have lobbyist who exchange benefits... PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO OPEN THEIR EYES, they still buy what they sell....
Money is worthless if you don't have corrupt politicians willing to bend the rules in your favor. Get rid of money in politics and you get rid of much of the problem. Did you see the 60 minute show last week? Congressman are exempt from insider trading laws. They get rich helping rich people and corporations by changing the rules in their favor. Stop the flow of money from corporations and the rich to the politicians and we have made a giant step in the right direction!
unfortunately money corrupts a grand majority of people, even you, if you are offered $5,000,000 right now to do something in someones favor, you'll do it, you know how your life can change if you had that amount of money, seriously you won't think about your neighbor, (I mean think about it) so getting corrupt is easy, that's why we are upset, because they use their money to rule the world, and careless about people, don't they have enough????
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously this time.
http://notetoanon.com/2011/11/11/you-me-we-or-how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-loved-leaderlessness/
Total toolage.
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Please stop using the racist term "Paddy Wagons" Anybody who knows the history of the Union movement in the US knows that the Irish were great supporters. The term "Paddy Wagon" was used to imply that the only people being arrested would be low life Irish.
We are Wall Street. It's our job to make money. Whether it's a commodity, stock, bond, or some hypothetical piece of fake paper, it doesn't matter. We would trade baseball cards if it were profitable. I didn't hear America complaining when the market was roaring to 14,000 and everyone's 401k doubled every 3 years. Just like gambling, it’s (sic) not a problem until you lose. I've never heard of anyone going to Gamblers Anonymous because they won too much in Vegas. Well, now the market crapped out, & even though it has come back somewhat, the government and the average Joes are still looking for a scapegoat. God knows there has to be one for everything. Well, here we are. Go ahead and continue to take us down, but you're only going to hurt yourselves. What's going to happen when we can't find jobs on the Street anymore? Guess what: We're going to take yours. We get up at 5am & work till 10pm or later. We're used to not getting up to pee when we have a position. We don't take an hour or more for a lunch break. We don't demand a union. We don't retire at 50 with a pension. We eat what we kill, and when the only thing left to eat is on your dinner plates, we'll eat that. For years teachers and other unionized labor have had us fooled. We were too busy working to notice. Do you really think that we are incapable of teaching 3rd graders and doing landscaping? We're going to take your cushy jobs with tenure and 4 months off a year and whine just like you that we are so-o-o-o underpaid for building the youth of America. Say goodbye to your overtime and double time and a half. I'll be hitting grounders to the high school baseball team for $5k extra a summer, thank you very much. So now that we're going to be making $85k a year without upside, Joe Mainstreet is going to have his revenge, right? Wrong! Guess what: we're going to stop buying the new 80k car, we aren't going to leave the 35 percent tip at our business dinners anymore. No more free rides on our backs. We're going to landscape our own back yards, wash our cars with a garden hose in our driveways. Our money was your money. You spent it. When our money dries up, so does yours. The difference is, you lived off of it, we rejoiced in it. The Obama administration and the Democratic National Committee might get their way and knock us off the top of the pyramid, but it's really going to hurt like hell for them when our fat a**es land directly on the middle class of America and knock them to the bottom. We aren't dinosaurs. We are smarter and more vicious than that, and we are going to survive. The question is, now that Obama & his administration are making Joe Mainstreet our food supply...will he? And will they?
My, my, my, how totally unsophisticated of you. It actually might surprise you to know that "we" do understand the markets. You, at Wall Street, take money, real money contributed to 401Ks, pension funds and in bank accounts, using it to "invest." First, you take your fees, bonuses and your commissions (let me know where I am going awry here) then, if there is pittance left, divide that amount among the "investors." Great scheme. I am sure we are all thankful for the crumbs tossed our way. By the way, I provided emergency services for many years--going out on calls at all hours of the day and night. I often didn't get a chance to pee, take a lunch break and did not belong to a union. I retired from my job with many unused and uncompensated hours. I drove, and still drive, a 1997 Honda Accord (works great), did my own housework, some of my own mechanic work, and and all of our yardwork--still do! I hope you do get to enjoy the thrill of getting your hands dirty!! I wish you great success!!
Oone, you have it completely backwards. Thanks for the tip, ha! What an arrogant rant. Don't break a nail. Trickle down economics is plutocracy. Damn, I can't stand the ignorance and arrogance of the nouveau riche.
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What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously this time.
I respectfully ask you to stop making this comment. You have made it clear you think this is something OWS should consider. However, all this is going to do is deprive (mainly the 99%) of a holiday tradition. Children and adults wait all year for the magic of the parade and you wish to take this away from them. It is claimed the the majoirty of people are suffering from a lack of resources etc because of a lack of money which is help by this 1%. Why take away a simple, FREE, joy. Let's not get started about taking the joy away from people around the holidays.
Exactly. The people you will affect and upset the most by disrupting the Macy's parade are the very same people you need on your side. What next? Occupy Santa? Stay focused.
What the protesters should do is teach the World,and the State of New York a lesson that will never be forgotten. I think if the 99% can shut down the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade it would show the rest of the World how strong you really are. Trust me everybody will really start believing,and taking things seriously this time.
Rape in Occupy Philadelphia on Saturday, Rape in Occupy Cleveland, Rape in Glasgow Scotland, Occupy Baltimore authorities flatly told victims not to report rapes to police the "security committee" will handle it, Salt Lake City; found a dead man in his tent, drug use, fights (most arrested have has frequent run ins with the police), man shot to death in Oakland over marijuana, Portland occupiers smashed bank windows and the list goes on and on.
Murder, drugs and disease! ... Great job occupiers! What a way to make change!
The propaganda machine continues - it was closer to 1000, all entries were NOT blockaded at once, the protestors just moved from one entrance to another, and the opening was not delayed - in fact the organizers of OWS got the time wrong, a totally trivial fact.
The level of propaganda and misinformation on this site is an total embarrassment. I am sure at the end of the day this farce will be labelled a success and victory will be declared...
What propaganda?
so i dont know if this will be posted because of the rules, apparently you promote free speech but then you make all these rules to post i know you do not want to here this but there are other ways of expressing your free speech if you want people to listen to you you are going to have to listen to other people, you need to organize yourself and not make yourselfs look like assholes if you want to win this and thats what you have been looking like in the past few days, you are causing people to be late for work and their classes by blocking the streets and the subways is not helping your cause come on think before you do something and ask yourself why your doing this get the media on your side because right now their not make yourself look good beat the politicians at their own game, its the 21st cnetury use the internet to protest you are creating havoc and remember not every politician and employee of wall street are corrupt theres coruption everywhere probably even in your own protest you are also helping the cops by providing them with a job they are getting paid to be there, also you have the power to vote so stop voting dirty politicians in yes you do have the right to go to a public park but so do other people and its not fair to them not being able to use it because its overcrowed with protesters and it also wouldnt cause as much trouble if you got a permit to camp there in the first place believe me im only 21, jobless and im not happy about the corruption in government but i really think that you should be smarter about this what is it that you are trying to gain from this and do you really think its working? be bigger than those politicians because right now you look lower you are pissing the wrong people of the whole 99% is not 100% with you right now you are wrongly representing the 99% its almost like you are forcing people to be part of your protest which is not right this is a free country you are taking away other peoples rights by blocking the streets and thats why your being arrested i hope you listen to this because you really need to hear it
do you know that those people who are going to work, are their sheep, their slave, an their human resource to make money. If people don't got to work and wall street shuts down they won't make money!! they won't slaves to work and make them rich!! If you only knew that those 1% fat cats are the ones corrupting politicians, lobbying and pay them high stakes to feed their needs. You are the one pissing in the wrong place, and that's why you are frustrated
well thats your opinion and i was only giving mine, thats not the point i was trying to make you are just not listnening if wall street shuts down the economy will be worst my point was people arent being smart about this you need to think before you do something and what are you saying people should just stop working all together so that they can join the protest
That's the terrifying part. The economy shouldn't be based in one single street, where people play with numbers. The great depression happened because everyone tried to pull their money out of Wall St. at once, and it crashed, crashing everything else in America (Not to mention in the rest of the world too) and that caused a world war. (The germans already were in a depression when the market crashed.) Again, it's just astonishing. I'm a Canadian and I feel very threatened because of how tied up we've become with your economy. If Wall St. crashes, it'll destroy the economy here too, meaning I'll be homeless and starving within a month as I am on a student budget.
I want to ensure that our military veterans; especially those returning from combat have jobs and future prospects. I think this fits under the ideals of the Occupy Movement. I see jobless veterans everyday who are angry and believe they have no future; they want to work, but they can't find jobs. They are hurting...Some of those do use the GI Bill and other benefits; but, still no jobs seem to exist -- even for many veterans with college degrees.
This sucks. And crap like this stopblackfriday.com crap is just ridiculous...anti capitalist SOBs...you SHOULD go get a job...then maybe you would have money to invest instead of just trying to keep other ppl from doin g that
I see about 20 people in the picture. Where are the rest?
Watch the news with your eyes :)
Behind the ones in front. You are looking at eye level, it makes it difficult to see numbers...
This just one small area - I saw an overhead view from a chopper this morning - looked like at least 2-3,000 people - even foxnews said 2,000 so it is at least that
I'm sure most were just out there to watch the freak show. 1/3 protesters, 1/3 spectators, and 1/3 OWS press enablers.
No, probably not.
I was there this morning, there were about 700-1,000 people. Not "thousands" (though there should have been). Once they started marching from liberty square, some groups stopped at barricades while others kept marching down streets to find an entrance close to NYSE. Therefore, the protesters were thinned out and not all grouped together.
So, with the propaganda leading the viewers and readers to believe that OWS supporters blocked ALL the entrances, while in reality they only successfully blocked a few and the NYPD were the main blockades, is this not misinforming society. This is essentially lying to the public to benefit and gain supporters of their cause - is this not partly what you are fighting against. For a honest and fair society. Your point will be more effectively made by being honest and acting with integrity.
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"If you're jealous of the rich get off your ass and become one! There's no secret to success... It involves educating yourself, living within your means and working hard towards your goals. Stop mooching off people and living off borrowed money and you might find yourself going the right direction in life rather then trying to ride the coat tails of others that were willing to work for their success"
I'd say that 99% of the people hurt by the OWS movement are not part of the 1%. So tell me OWS people...are they just SOL? Do they derserve their fate by daring to work for the 1%? Or are they just collateral damage?
Do you guys really care about them...or is expressing your anger more important?
Why do this? ......... This is not an intelligent way to bring about change ...... just violence!
Unfortunately, that is not a balanced view. The people in power know it and use it against you: they play both aggressive and passive tactics. And they are intelligent just not interested in change and will deceive and coerce and bullshit to keep/grow their slice. And, if you really think you can bring about change with the corporate scum (not all - some, a handful are genuine entrepreneurs) and their uniformed mafia without some severity from both sides - you have got it wrong. Even the icon of religion i.e. Jesus, was tough, he spoke his mind and he must've caused some inconvenience to say the least to those in power and off it was to the cross. Now I'm not religious, don't know if Jesus existed or he's an amalgam of many others: point is, none of these guys went along with bullshit and yeah, you gotta take some stick and give some (not everything Jesus said was peaches and cream in the days when speech was less free than today). If the Exodus is true (or regardless), Moses surely caused severe inconvenience to the Pharaoh. And Pharaoh bull-shitted them too, promises, bait & switch, get the work and give bullshit in return and then he had to be forced to do it. Our politicians and so many in the corporate world are so like that Pharaoh (fictitious or not).
Two months ago, I agreed with you - but it's clear to see how much more effective it is to "occupy." The movement is drawing attention to a cause that, well, 99% of the population should be able to agree with. Everyone has a cause they believe in - but the most basic marketing strategies will tell you that you have to be loud, be bold, and that repetition is key. OWS is in the media every day - free marketing! You can't help but pay attention, regardless of whether or not you watch the news. My initial reaction was to question - who are these people? Why are they risking their lives and reputations to be thrown in the back of a squad car? Which led me to do my research - what are their demands? What is their reasoning? Which then led to light bulb: How can I become involved?
You may not agree with the methods of how they grabbed your attention - but they made you question enough to write a comment, right?
actually todays actions brought up the question today on msnbc of whether or not OWS will continue to be the brand of the movement or maybe it's time to move onto a more productive stage. i have said this for the last week. not to diminish your pitch.
Stockbrokers are not in the "1%." Runners are not in the "1%." Specialists are not in the "1%." Security guards are not in the "1%."
The list goes on and on. The only thing you accomplish by doing this is hindering the rest of the "99%" from going to work and getting paid. You are only hurting those you claim to be helping. It's sick to see people do something like this in order to protest. OWS could have been so much more, but stubborn fools who don't consider everything around them have ruined it.
You are not hurting the "1%," you are not gaining the support of your fellow "99%," but you are a fringe movement and you are no longer relevant.
If we're no longer relevant, why are you here? Stop being a lazy coward....
I'm hear to tell you that you are no longer relevant. If someone doesn't do that, you'll stink up Wall Street with your lazy, ignorant masses for the next decade with no result.
Yeah, but it's fun! Especially when it bothers you... :-)
I'm glad to hear being a bum is fun for you. I'll be sure to remember that when I pass by your coffers.
At least they are standing up for something. What do you suggest??
"You are a fringe movement and you are no longer relevant" - Really? Have you seen the THOUSANDS of people protesting all over the WORLD? This movement is just beginning. Honestly, I invite you to get educated on the issues and then join us. And by the way, if you have better ideas as to how OWS can create change, please share. I'd be happy to help.
You can start by not preventing people from trying to get to work. Clogging the subways and the streets does not help, it hinders.
As I've said, not everyone on Wall Street is part of the 1% and what OWS is doing is only doing innocent bystanders a disservice.
It's so easy to say what NOT to do. Come up with an idea so that you at least become relevant.
Blocking the Stock Exchange is a symbol. I suggest people fill the building up as well. It would show the country that those who gamble our money away and create this bubbles can and will be accountable for their actions.
I agree. That's still not an idea of what we should do. Come up with a better plan and I'll be there to support you. Until then, OCCUPY EVERYTHING!!!
Are you kidding me? That only makes things worse.
Once again, the people who work on Wall Street are ordinary people. You are only making their life harder. If you still insist that you should do this, consider those who don't work on Wall Street and are day traders. Clogging up Wall Street is a terrible idea and only makes things worse.
Suggest a better plan then. Or are you just going to complain from behind a keyboard?
Sounds familiar, sort of like the OWS movement itself. Instead of complaining about government, provide solutions. Or are you just going to squat in parks?
No longer relevant? It's just starting.
It would have already died by now if not for the press being on their side
Resist austerity.
Stupidest statement ever.
From Wikipedia: "In economics, austerity is a policy of deficit-cutting, lower spending, and a reduction in the amount of benefits and public services provided."
We need more not less public services. There are far better ways of reducing spending, starting with not warring. Resist austerity.
What public services would you add?
How about not cutting the public services we ALREADY have? Because that's what's been going on. Cutting spending by hurting the public is not ok.
What have we cut? Maybe staff, but not services.
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by blocking the stock echange you just are not allowing the only way for the US to make money not make ant money!!!!!! you are hurting the country you are trying to save..........pathetic
Not really. Blocking the stock exchange proves to the powers that be that there is a group of people, a very large group of people, that continue to be frustrated and angry. An obvious, long-term display of anger and frustration is needed to get those same powers that be to begin to understand.. and respect... that people, thousands and millions of people, are tired of the current state of affairs and that something has to change.
Occupy Wall Street has to be the most disorganized/pointless movement I've ever heard of... yes, they shed light on a few problems with our society, but what they're doing isn't going to solve any of those problems! By stopping people from working on Wall St., you will do nothing but further slow our economy during a time of international crisis. The only result which is likely IF THEY GET THEIR W...AY is a HIGHER unemployment rate... Instead, to be going against "big institutions", they should opt for smaller local alternatives... to stop the "corruption", they should take those thousands of protests and assign groups to audit and and watchdog high profile politicians and bills - protest specific things as to steer law into the right direction or perhaps tell lawmakers NEW LAWS they should implement... CORPORATIONS DON'T CARE ABOUT PROTESTS... THEY CARE ABOUT PROFITS so STOP GIVING THEM YOUR DAMN MONEY!!! One final note... this was on the website: "11:52 am: counterterrorism agents spotted, appear oblivious to economic terrorism" Are they openly admitting to being a terrorist organization??? If so, arrest them all on charges of "terrorism" instead of "non-violent civil disobedience"... that way they stay in prison long enough to think about useful ways to make REAL change!!
Seriously, OWS needs to get a life. Do something productive with your life! Do something to benefit our country rather then stirring the pot. Create something tangible to improve the market. Be an asset to society rather then a group of circus freaks wasting your time. If you're jealous of the rich get off your ass and become one! There's no secret to success... It involves educating yourself, living within your means and working hard towards your goals. Stop mooching off people and living off borrowed money and you might find yourself going the right direction in life rather then trying to ride the coat tails of others that were willing to work for their success.
People just don't get it. We're tired of working with the system the way it is. Sure, we could be productive and improve the market, but why do we have a market anyway? If I had it my way, we'd go back to the pioneer days where we could earn a plot of land, have kids to help us work and nurture it and provide for ourselves while bardering with our neighbors for other goods we may need. Money is the problem as well as greed and the "need" for material possessions. People need to shut off their tvs, sign off the internet, stop playing their Apps, stop slaving at jobs they don't even like, and get back in tune with human nature, compassion, and working for themselves and the land. I am far from jealous of the rich, I have no desire to be rich, yet I struggle everyday because the only way to survive in the world is through massive amounts of money. Everything is beyond expensive these days! The cost of living does not match the salaries of the middle class.
Amen to that Brother!
K i l l your Television
Looked like there were more cameras there than protesters. I like the Wallstreeters comment in response to the protesters , "Are you going to feed my family?"
They can feed their families by having productive jobs rather than by stealing our government, our health care, our retirement and our livelihoods.
OWS is a joke. At first I liked what they were doing and now after more indepth review they have no idea what is going on in the world. Clueless and just fools without a pot to piss in. Because of what i saw.. I realized i need to get back to school and study harder so i don't be like these sorry losers just lIooking for hand outs.
Makes me even want to change majors to finance and try to get a job on Wall Street.
Good luck trying to get a job on Wall Street buddy... The whole point of this movement is that your lovely government has stripped you of opportunties even before you pay your first student loan. It is idiots like you that make this such a hard thing for people to understand. If there's anyone in this world that has no clue whats going on in the world, it's YOU. Try looking up your rights and see that you are losing them and soon wont have them. Open your eyes.
Wow..thanks for the luck. My frat brother that is a trader for Goldman got me a interview to be a trader on his desk last mouth and i finally just got word that i got the job! So f u and now u can shine my shoes or drive me in your yellow cab to my 5ave condo next year. oh wait you can't b/c u are too angry and lazy to make your own fate and or to find a a job. it's been real. opens are open and life is good. love my rights and how people like me can network. maybe u shoud wake up and realize that no body is going to give u a hand out, you yourself needs to make things happen. u put so much energy in this movement when you should be redirecting your engry to study hard so u can get a better job to be in the1% one day. good luck 2 u.
it's actually fairly easy to get a job on Wall Street, as long as you have a 3.7-4.0 GPA in school, show the ability to do critical thinking and perform well under pressure. Entry level banking compensation is approximately 65K + bonus.
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Can we just send in the National Guard to mow these people down? Standing in the middle of a street screaming is not going to bring change to anything. You're just in everyone's way and wasting everyone's time.
Well considering that this movement has caught global attention, that it is being observed across the globe, I would say that the movement is very successful. You should reconsider your statement. You are going to find yourself on the wrong side of history, just as many did after the civil rights movement. What a shame to be on the wrong side of history. I feel bad for you.
So your idea to change things is to have the National Guard come in and "mow these people down?" That's sick. Do you even hear yourself?
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actually it does change things, particularly when there are thousands coming out of the woodwork to scream together. the 1% does not function without the rest of us, and they are being denied basic functionality today to illustrate that i can be done. the 1% is literally in 99% of people's way and wasting 99% of people's time.
also, it's illegal to deploy military proper on U.S. soil against citizens, especially ones who are serving it in the most powerful way.
"It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government." - Thomas Paine
Part of purpose of a march on anywhere is the discomfort and disruption it brings to others. By being "in everyone's way" attention is brought to the message as those who's way you've gotten into are forced to stop what they're doing. They can choose to ignore their disruption, fuss about their disruption or pay attention to what is happening. Regardless, those individuals will be thinking about their disruption all day and possibly several days later.. sounds like success. A march is partly to bring about the attention of the average citizen. The average citizen being forced to stop what they're doing because they can't get to where they're wanting or needing to go.
Try it in Chicago and see how well your health fares after getting in people's way there. You liberal pansy New Yorkers may stand for it, but please for your own sakes keep it there. We don't tolerate that shit here.
OH LOOK we're in your town! You should come out and aquaint yourself with what's sweeping the globe before you find yourself on the wrong side:
"The Chicago spinoff of the Occupy Wall Street, was the first one to adopt official demands, It issued 12 of them, including a call for the repeal of former President George W. Bush's tax cuts and a push for the prosecution of "Wall Street criminals."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/ct-biz-occupy-chicago,0,6780560.photogallery
Yes, but there not keeping people from work. We have enough homeless here that a few more bums won't be noticed.
Haha yeah. But no really! Talk to people about this, spread it. Frustration with how things have been going runs deeper than you seem to think. Start discussions with a demographically balanced cross section that you may see for yourself. I know you have your frustrations, why don't you come out and speak your mind? Whatever you wanna say, it's about equality after all. Most of these "bums" are smart upstanding citizens. You sound like the Big Lebowski.
What am I supposed to be frustrated about? I don't understand.
Corruption. Greed. Trashing of morals for money. Cutting valuable services. Markets heaving at the will of puppeteers. Our country invading others in our name. Lack of regard for the good of the public. Hidden politics. The broken and exploited voting system. Abuse and denial of basic rights and freedoms. Police brutality. A national debt weighing on the people's backs. The draining of money from healthy circulation. Secret prisons with uncharged civillians detained indefinitely. Bailouts for culprits. Infernal red tape and runarounds. All this to name a few things, plus the insult of having to watch it all go down and not being able to do anything to be heard. Guess what, what's happening now is getting people heard, since the ones in charge refuse to rule fairly. If you're sitting so pretty then good for you, and good luck trying to tell everyone who's struggling that they're wrong.
I'm not a New Yorker. I live in West Virginia, an hour and a half from Washington DC. I have participated in Disability Rights Marches on our nation's capitol. I know exactly what these people are feeling right now as they spend this day as they make history. And trust me, this is history.
As far as toleration in Chicago.. read. You'll learn your city has tolerated it's fair share of protests, marches and citizens taking to the streets. Open your eyes and read. Learn.
I'm tolerant so long as it doesn't hold me up from getting to my job to feed my family. Which, btw, is my FIRST priority in life. I, and others like me, will not take too kindly to that.
We may have in the past tolerated such nonsense, but I would be everything that if you stood in the way of people getting to work here, there would be bloodshed.
I'm slightly amused right now. You don't understand. Take a step back right now. You, a person who is not supportive of this movement, is spending all this time talking about it. It doesn't matter what side you are on, you are being made aware that this movement exists. That is one form of success in efforts such as today. Awareness. You are aware this movement exists. You are compelled to discuss it. The more people are talking, the more successful this whole thing becomes. Keep talking. Keep replying. Keep posting. Thank you for having an opinion. Thank you for believing in something strong enough to speak your mind.
Yes, it does amuse me. My best friend has since moved to upstate NY and I miss arguing with his Communist self. This provides a good outlet
:) As long as you have an opinion you're willing to put out there and defend. That's what makes the world go round.
Just be a bit kinder and realize the people on the streets around the world today are human beings. You don't have to agree with what they're doing or their message, but wishing and threatening physical harm just doesn't fly.
Keep talking about this today, even if it's complaints... kind-hearted complaints.
Got your attention didn't it? There are people participating in the movement that have nothing left, no money, family, place to sleep... This is way more important to many many people than the workday.
Food and shelter are plentiful here. And inconveniencing me won't get you those things by the way.
Ok, I think we hit on something here: This is not about you, this is about us all. Do you live in this country? Mhm.
Yes I do, and I do my best to take care of my own when they stumble. We don't ask for help. We don't want the government to force others to help us. We just go about our lives the best we can.
I get it. I really do. I have more socialists for friends than is considered proper for a libertarian. But I will tell you this. When the shit needs getting done, it's me they turn to.
Nobody's forcing help on you. The 99% are not socialists either, just citizens who want a decent life. You DON'T get it.
I think I do get it. I think you all are so powerless and helpless that you NEED the big government to take care of you. So what if the playing field isn't level? That's life. Get over it and get with winning the game already.
All "we" need is numbers, and take a look around the media.
The purpose of a government is to take care of the people. The complaint is that they haven't been.
The fact that you see life as a game to be won is exactly what's wrong in the world. You're speaking not as a peaceful cohabitant in it for the long haul (I'm talking longer than your own life) but as a malignancy that won't stop until everything is consumed. "The Black" and endless growth are not real goals, they're escapes, concepts that distract from the inevitable. The world and its resources are finite. You can't take money or power with you when you die, and it can't buy you sacred peace of mind on your death bed, so what's the point unless you use it to help the collective consciousness have a better time during its stay on this universal oasis? Really now, grandly speaking, what is ever worth doing unless it's good? To advocate brutality on expression is to deny your own humanity. Those who do will not be getting their membership renewed, symbolically.
I have a full-time job. My bills are all paid on time. I have plenty of food to eat.
I'm not asking for a handout. I'm asking for Wall St. to get its hand out of our government's pockets. I'm asking for better representatives. I'm asking for fairness and equality for all.
I want the wealthiest people and companies in this country to pay at least what I pay in taxes each year. Why should I pay more taxes for having less?
Most of the National Guard got mowed down in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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boy, i can't wait for the tear gas, get to see the lazy people squirm... yes lazy people, you who complain about struggle, not enough money, well, no one said life was easy and hell, you have it easier than the majority of the world and yet you still complain
Funny how the only anti-protest protests are on these forums ... talk about lazy. LOL
Yeah, they're gonna have to come up with something else. The accusations of "lazy" and "smelly" are juvenile. But then, there are those among them who think they can "work hard" and get a degree in finance, and then wall street will welcome them into the club. They're special because they know the definitive answer to inequality is to siimply "work hard." They have faith that THEIR hard work will pay off; OWS'ers around the world never went to school and never worked hard at anything. Hard to fight that kind of ignorance. The fact that OWS is standing up for the majority, including those who havent caught on to how money has corrupted our political system to the people's detriment, shows in itself that laziness does not define these people.
No, we have better things to do than camp camp out in a park for two months, namely going to work and feeding our kids. We have no need to protest OWS because it's going to die off without a bang.
Maybe at one point your cause was noble and we might have agreed with you, but right now, you only seem to be a mass of idiots that are too self-righteous and stubborn to get a job you don't like.
I have a job, and I support this movement. STFU
Ah, so you love that your tax dollars are used to prop up insolvent banks?
Protests banks when the government is the one who spends our tax dollars, yourbad.
But the banks and other large corporations are the entities who have seriously corrupted our government by the intrusion of money into the democratic process. We need government by, for, and of the people; not by, for, and of the corporations.
So why aren't you protesting against the government for making themselves depend on banks instead of the people?
Banks and government go hand-in-hand. Look at who Obama surrounds himself with. All bankers.
Until we get money out of politics in this country, anyone who is serious about getting elected is going to have to cozy up to the bankers.. That's why things are so corrupt.
And so you protest banks to make them change the government? Learn the system before you comment on it.
Oooooooo...so profound.
Because if anything is worse anywhere nothing is bad here. Clearly.
I can't wait until you get fired and run out of your 99 weeks of unemployment and see how you fret with no income coming in. I want to see you try to make that comment then.
It is doubtful that anyone who gets fired now (not fired for cause) will get 99 weeks of unemployment. They will get stuck scrambling for the still-too-few jobs that are available.
lol, if I get fired then I'll look somewhere else, if i cannot find something, I'l work as a fast food joint and still continue to look, maybe you should do that. get a job to hold you off until you can find something better or are you too lazy and pathetic to do this. Probably, you are part of this movement.
Oh, ikki5, I wish I could be as optimistic as you are! The last time McDonalds had a job fair, there were five applicants for every job available. Most of those jobs were part time (around 20 hours a week). At $7.50 an hour to start, that's $7800 a year. Can you live on that? I cannot.
I'm not lazy and I don't have to look for a job, and yes, I am part of this movement.
While most Americans have it better than most people in third world countries, we have been socialized into a system that has given us prosperity (the American Dream) and is now taking it away. This "social construction of reality" is all we know. This movement isn't all about the middle class not having money. It is about money in politics corrupting democracy. It is about rights, it is about reclaiming the values this country was founded on.
I sure most of these people care about the impact our financial industry has on the world and as well with the significant income/wealth inequality in the US. There is nothing wrong with holding people accountable for their actions. Many people committed fraud and in the process facilitated a massive amount of unnecessary human suffering. These people weren't held accountable but given a break. So, these people you say are "complaining" are doing something in the interest of the globalized world.
Why the hate? Seriously. If you look at the numbers, the difference between the 1% and the rest of America is shocking, and they are able to unduly influence all of America's policy to unfairly prop themselves up.
Why would you be okay with paying back the obligations of a private bank with your own money? Because that IS what is happening now with Fannie and Freddy.
If you're so happy to pay for other's bad business decisions and just throw away money, maybe you'd like to pay my student loans too.
Think for a second about why you feel like having these protesters slain is a good idea, then let me know why that is.
Excellent points. To bash OWS means you are pro-bailout.