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Forum Post: Never fear! Sharpton is here!

Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 10, 2011, 4:28 p.m. EST by makmak (57)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

And Susan Sarandon. And Russell Simmons.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/10/10/occupy-wall-street-protests-enter-4th-week-anonymous-threatens-nyse-website/

Don't look now but your movement has been co-opted.

33 Comments

33 Comments


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[-] 1 points by beardy (282) 13 years ago

Top 1% is now endorsing the movement.

[-] 1 points by powertothepeople (1264) 13 years ago

Susan Sarandon and Russell Simmons can endorse anyone and anything they choose to.

Susan Sarandon is an actress with political views, what is wrong with her supporting OWS?

Russell Simmons is a self made entrepreneur. Having said that, his Rushcard has a very big relationship with JP Morgan Chase. But that is on his conscience. He can support in spirit, the only problem comes in if the movement accepts money from these people, or from anyone. It should remain fully supported by individuals, if celebs donate it should be done anonymously.

[-] 1 points by Frankie (733) 13 years ago

Certainly they have a right to support whatever they want. But you have to admit that there's kind of a big disconnect here.

I could make a post right now on this forum, changing the name, describing a guy who makes $100 million/year from a high-fee debit card business which largely targets minorities without access to credit, who's out flying in his private jet and partying in the Hamptons, and most here would be ready to tar and feather the guy! lol

But because he jumps on the it's OK tax me more thing, he's cool. Even though he'll still be be doing the same business and still be walking away with what most here would consider obscene amounts of money. And he knows full well that it's really not going to affect him much because as a smart business guy, he's largely going to pass along the cost to "the masses" and he'll likely still be able to avoid or shelter most of it as he does now.

And on a related note, when he's asked why he doesn't just write a check if he beleives that he's under taxed, his response is that he'd rather donate it to his charity. That's fine and I give him credit for it (which applies as well to lots of wealthy individuals and companies). But, by his actions if not words, it's basically tacit admission that taxes are an extraordinarily inefficient means.

Have Russell come down and camp out for a month and then I'll be more convinced.

[-] 1 points by powertothepeople (1264) 13 years ago

Some OWS people on Twitter were on his case, so not everyone thinks his support is all cool, I saw some sentiment that he was trying to exploit his support to promote himself.

I did point out that he is deeply involved with Chase, that is where all the Rushcard deposits are held.

But again, how can OWS actually prevent anyone from coming down there and/or posting on the net that they support the cause?

[-] 1 points by Frankie (733) 13 years ago

They could say that hypocrites and opportunists aren't welcome. ; )

Not that I think that's realistic. But if they did, then while they'd lose the support of some significant groups which might be deemed to fall into those categories, support from the 80% would absolutely skyrocket.

[-] 1 points by Markmad (323) 13 years ago

This movement is getting good. How about that great black professor from Cornell University, what’s his name, the one doing the hunger march around the country with, what’s his name? The black dude from PBS. Those two should be invited to incinerate this revolution. Do you know who am talking about?

[-] 1 points by powertothepeople (1264) 13 years ago

Cornel West has been there and I believe he is coming back. He is at Princeton btw.

[-] 1 points by Markmad (323) 13 years ago

Wow, has been that long? I do remember of him teaching at Cornell. Did he ever teach there? Thanks.

[-] 1 points by Markmad (323) 13 years ago

Precisely, thanks for the link. Do you know whatever happend to the hunger march?

[-] 1 points by makmak (57) 13 years ago

Maybe what you're thinking about is the poverty tour. I can't seem to find anything on the hunger march.

The whole poverty tour happened in August, according to the article.

[-] 1 points by Markmad (323) 13 years ago

That’s right, am not too sure of the proper name, but I did watch one episode of Smiley’s show. I do admire him for embracing our causes.

[-] 1 points by powertothepeople (1264) 13 years ago

Sharpton deserves to be shouted down perhaps more than Charlie Rangel.

[-] 1 points by SIBob (154) from Staten Island, NY 13 years ago

Al Sharpton, who has had his faults in the past, has been standing up where it counts in recent years. He has been there for intended layoff victims, at City Hall rallies, (and the original march on Wall Street last May), and on his MSNBC show he sticks up for the little guy. He has his own organization, NAN, so he does not need to hijack this one. Take his support with grace, it can't hurt. http://sibob.org/wordpress/

[-] 1 points by powertothepeople (1264) 13 years ago

Many want to jump on the bandwagon because if they were sincere, they would have been doing something like this a very long time ago.

I suppose he has as much right to go to Liberty Plaza and broadcast as the protestors do to sleep there.

[-] 1 points by SIBob (154) from Staten Island, NY 13 years ago

The idea is to get as many people on your side as possible, without giving up power. Hold onto that as long as you can, because it is the intelligence and the energy of all the young people that has created this movement. When you see the unions siding in, you know you have done something. But, we all need each other to succeed. The right is heavily organized, we need to be also. http://sibob.org/wordpress/

[-] 1 points by Opal (57) 13 years ago

I'd say "supported".

[-] 1 points by PoliticallyIncorrectBenjamin (50) 13 years ago

I might give Susan a ride around the block but Sharpton aint my type. What you need that left radical there for fool?

[-] 1 points by alwayzabull (228) 13 years ago

Sharpton = beginning of the end.

[-] 1 points by Indy4Change (254) from Columbia, SC 13 years ago

Al "Race Baiter" Sharpton and Susan Saran Wrap have jumped onboard now. Hooray... wait, didn't Susan Sarn Wrap threaten to leave the country if bush was re-elected?!? Why is she still here? Oh nevermind, that was Babs Stridex who made that threat.....

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 13 years ago

why has the movement been co-opted ?

[-] 1 points by makmak (57) 13 years ago

Trust me ... it's going to veer left. It's nice in theory to say that it isn't about the left or right politically but there are people with ready-made pulpits that know how to use them. When they sense opportunity for an audience for their agenda they will take it. This movement was just too tempting for the left to resist. It's a perfect answer to the Tea Party.

[-] 1 points by Frankie (733) 13 years ago

Does anyone really think that, especially coming into an election year, the Democrats can stand by and let any sort criticism of Obama in any form whatsoever be out there and them not attempt to control it? lol

Next thing you know there will be an Occupy Caucus.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 13 years ago

I will not play along

[-] 1 points by Frankie (733) 13 years ago

Thank goodness! The movement is saved!

Now the question becomes where's Jessie???

[-] 1 points by makmak (57) 13 years ago

He had another protesting job already scheduled for today. Maybe next week...

:)

[-] 1 points by Frankie (733) 13 years ago

He tends to work the natural disaster circuit more these days seems like.

[-] 1 points by makmak (57) 13 years ago

Oh, sorry. I didn't realize ...

I haven't kept up to date with his scheduling lately. lol