Forum Post: BREAKING - Corruption in the ranks of #OWS
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 18, 2011, 1:49 p.m. EST by precipice
(220)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Recent emails amongst the OWS group indicate a power struggle and corruption in the ranks of the Occupy Movement.
In the emails, it is revealed that in situations, a member of OWS replaced the "Donate" link to their own personal websites so she could buy new clothes.
In another incident, it was found that one organizer was censoring people on the website. Another member in this inner circle has self-appointed himself as an Official Spokesman for the movement, despite disagreement from other OWS members... The email states "The incidents are piling up, and there is no personal accountability..."
Continued at http://www.occupyr.com/General/thread.php?id=200
Update: to people calling this a "troll" post, I assure you it is very real. See the story for full details of the email. OWS may be attempting to correct for its own corruption, but we need to demand 100% transparency.
Well, welcome to the real world. The trolls come here merely to attack and make this movement look like it's chaotic. Remember they are not part of it, they are against it. This is their only motivation here. After a few postings or in some cases their first post shows they mean no good. They are trouble. Maybe we could start a thread to track them. Quote their attack and list their name so we stop feeding them.
This isnt about trolls, it's about settig a good example
Setting a good example is easy to say. And your right, we should. But it won't play out in reality. The reality is like this, this cyberspace is like a big playground of ideas. The folks that come here are real and so are their words. However because we're not looking at each other in our eyes and seeing the facial expression, the body language, we missing a large chunk of this communication. Some here write well, some don't. We only know each other through these words here.
What some here don't yet understand is these words can sting much harder through this written page than if you told me to my face.
That constitution we speak very highly of and defend with our blood is written using these words. And, for some, those words are well worth fighting for. I bet many right down there, right now on wall street, trying to keep warm, they are literally fighting for some of those words as I write here NOW.
We all know what words I am thinking of, we can start with freedom, and inalienable rights, and on and on. We rely on them to even to know who you are, or I am.
But, Trolls, they use these words to attack, insult, degrade, belittle, smear, and, generally rude. It shows a lack of respect. If we actually could gain something from their disapproval of us I would be game for it. If they could show respect. I'm always up for a good clean fair debate. Game ON.
However, with the experience I've had with this sort of thing, it's not realistic to say these trolls don't stir your emotions, and. many do get offended, insulted. They offend me even more when I see a poster going off on one. I don't blame them but you see this is what results. They are offensive, they call us names, and, frankly, it's not an atmosphere for learning and having real debate. Also, if we accept the rudeness, what does that say about us? Do we not deserve some level of respect?
And, what would consider a good example, for you, if a poster directly calls you a very offensive name?
I think we have a loose definition of trolls. Some trolls merely play devil's advocate, and that is good for conversation & discussion. Some are here to voice their doubts and "secretly" want us to prove them wrong, to see what we have to say about something. That is constructive.
The trolls that come to spam or to merely taunt need to go.
Any debate that is conducted with respect and does not resort to emotionally charged words to score points are GOOD and productive. Trolls resort to bullying tactics using name calling, logical fallacies, and their emotion usually comes through loud and clear. Their usually angry but sometimes frustrated. If we were physically there in front of them, they would be yelling and spitting at us. That is a troll. And they earn the name. Reading through the threads you will find their obnoxious behaviors.
The devil's advocate can be be reasonable, polite, and totally disagree with us. We can debate them and learn from the experience. We can all walk away from the debate with our honor still intact.
The devil's advocate immediately can become a troll, however, the moment they call you an idiot. You see, for me, my mother didn't raise me to be treated like an idiot. Do you understand? I demand respect because I deserve it. This isn't mud wrestling. Or the Rush Limbo Hour.
We're hear to share ideas. But I'm not up for name calling ideas.
Agreed, well said.
Thank you.
Hmmm the person who wrote the email is also calling for these situations to be made public:
"The incidents are piling up, and there is no personal accountability. So.. i believe the best solution in these situations is to shine a really bright public light on this situation. it tends to make the cockroaches scatter."
Yes, this. I see integrity here in the exact example OP is using to point out lack of it.
ows does appear to be working to correct these issues, but the emails indicate that even ows is not immune to corruption. The same actors are likely still involved in the inner circles of the organization, and whether they have been held accountable is unknown. Who knows what goes on behind the curtains?
I strongly believe in 100% transparency in finances (inflow and outflow reports), and I urge all potential donors to also demand this as well.
Psyops!
When it was first reported that OWS raised $300,000 (or $250,000) there was mention that one use of the funds is to rent an apartment that might house six "full time" occupiers. So would that make the six a subset of 1% of your esteemed movement? Funny how money corrupts and the controllers of capital seek comfort.
Indeed, we need transparency.
yes transparency is necessary
To the people,
Betrayal should start becoming closer to the light.
Do try posting issues so the public is aware on how inconvenient this is for those that speak on a beautiful, yet young start of ows.
j
Yesterday some people on this website said their comments were being erased and some were not being allowed to post. Is this really going on? I thought everyone was allowed to participate?
there was some censorship before.
Bring this out.
you need to crystalize the message and organize the leadership. livestream chats preaching 'no violence' on the right, and violent videos on the left side of the screen are a HUGE mixed message.
ummm has this been resolved yet?
She probably decided she needed new clothes because, after all, her work at OWS is for the greater good. Heck, she put in so much work while those donors just pushed the 'donate' button and she is, after all working for them, so why shouldn't she have new clothes? Besides, people and the media have been complaining about the smell at the park and that's not good for the movement. It was her duty to clean herself up, for the greater good.
I think tge amt is 450k now...
Trolls are the scum of the earth
Oh no your mean the OWS movement is not 100% pure and that some individuals actually take advantage of it for their own use.... I am shocked.... shocked I tell. you..... that such a thing could happen.... grow up you idiot.
All I am trying to do is expose how special interests, those willing to bribe our elected officials, are corrupting our government. This website is censoring me.
All I am trying to do is expose how special interests, those willing to bribe our elected officials, are corrupting our government. This website is censoring me.
All I am trying to do is expose how special interests, those willing to bribe our elected officials, are corrupting our government. This website is censoring me.
All I am trying to do is expose how special interests, those willing to bribe our elected officials, are corrupting our government. This website is censoring me.
All I am trying to do is expose how special interests, those willing to bribe our elected officials, are corrupting our government. This website is censoring me.
This story seems to go along with this theme:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/criminal_occupation_oh3CnKANUqYHrGPCaZaLRK
They are being ripped off by their own.
But good Lord ... taking a $5,500 Mac to an open area and being surprised when it gets ripped off? #1) I thought these people were poor; and #2) who pays $5,500 for a Mac? Is there one that is that expensive?
From Wiki. The NY Post is a rag. LOL
Since 1993, it has been owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, which had owned it previously from 1976 to 1988. It is the seventh-largest newspaper in the U.S. by circulation.[3] Its editorial offices are located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas, in New York City, New York. The Post is known for its sensationalist headlines.
Looks like trolling to me. If i believed everything i read i would be in constant state of confusion all the time.
i assure you this is very real.
It may be, but i see no proof just a claim.
See the link for the email logs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjOii-ICWDs
precipice is DEFINITELY a TROLL!!!
Go to this link:
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1ASUT_ENUS392&q=precipice+site%3A.occupywallst.org&oq=precipice+site%3A.occupywallst.org&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=591l6201l0l6453l25l24l1l20l21l0l171l501l0.3l3l0
He/She/it has done nothing but spread false claims that OWS was "hijacked" or "stolen" and claims to have evidence in the form of nefarious e-mails
lol. false claims? I wish.
What would my motivation be for that?
Here's what I want: transparency in inflow/outflow of OWS funds. I'm raising awareness that what happened to our country can just as easily happen to our current movement, in the way it is currently organized. We need to set a good example. I am concerned that corruption can overtake us. The only way to truly cure corruption is transparency.
Now, if you want to call someone who believes in that a troll, then I am a full-blooded troll.
ah. so sony playstation can get hacked and shut down for fixing but the ows has no enemies that would benefit from this type of activity. and nobody is trying to hijack this movement. dude this thing is global. human beings just don't live long enough to take on all the people and groups that have been born of this. but good luck with that.
After having my profile and all posts unceremoniously deleted without warning - I can believe it.
And all I was doing was posting links to a Green candidate.
Meanwhile, trolls come on here and call us Nazis with impunity and no one seems to do anything about it.
That's just some sad pathetic shit. I'm sure there are plenty of clothes sitting in the open in new york she could've walked up to and taken for free...
Somebody should go poop on their car!
Unfortunately, integrity is one of our largest issues...It is at the core of almost every single problem that people have with Wall Street, the Government, etc...
All animals are equal Some animals are more equal than others ** Orwell
hahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looks like this stupid ass movement of yours is coming back to bite you in the ass. Leave our country and move to Cuba if you don't like it here.
LOL
Another lie made up by wall street.
No matter what you do you cant win against freedom, justice and true democracy.
Wall street running scared and have now started to spread lies and rumours its so funny to see
umm... this is in the email transcripts. any member can check to verify and will verify. it is not a lie, know this much.
Socialism/communism at its finest. Some people are more equal than others.
If u want to stop corruption, vote for obama. Pls go to www.barackobama.com and give a $1000.00 today
It didn't work the first time, why do it again?
With ur help, it will
Baloney. I'm not voting for a socialist.
How about donating your $10,000 to pay down our federal deficit if you think it's so important to help?