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Forum Post: OCCUPY TOWN SQUARE - who are they, and what do they do?

Posted 11 years ago on Sept. 4, 2012, 6:01 p.m. EST by Evergreen38 (14)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Occupy Town Square has emerged as one of Occupy Wall Streets most dynamic affinity groups. There mission statement is as follows.

Starting early this year, mobile, daytime occupations, called Occupy Town Squares, have been held in parks and other public spaces around New York City. With info tables, teach-ins, trainings, political discussions, each event seeks to recreate the spirit of occupation and reclaim our public commons in the fullest possible sense: for the purpose of democratic civic engagement, to strengthen our communities, share our resources, and to broaden and deepen our connections with public space and with one another.

In NYC we have been collaborating with many local GAs and neighborhoods in the 5 boroughs. We are now starting to work with other Occupations and cities from around the country and the world, and would love to connect with many more. In the spirit of mutual aid, through these invaluable collaborations we hope to create a network where we can all share information, tutorials, and lessons learned about how to organize in public space and build communities of equity, of compassion, and of joy.

another WORLD is POSSIBLE

I have been a proud member of Occupy Town Square since near its inception, helping set up their first "pop-up" event in Washington Square Park. My contributions to OTS pale compared to most of the other much younger people in this group.

I have seen them emailing....from morning to late into the night.. each other, different GAs, and other affinity groups in preparation for these events. I have also been with them at one of their weekly meetings sitting around in a circle on a cold night, where they bandied ideas around at lightning speed, after they had worked, or gone to school all day. I respect, and love all the courageous, determined young people in Occupy Town Square, and I am ecstatic about their success, which in the end is also our success. Odin

114 Comments

114 Comments


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[-] 2 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 11 years ago

Good post, man. Sounds like a great group of kids/people.

[-] 2 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Thanks. I am so lucky to have met them. One young lady from France, who graduated from the Royal London School of.....? convinced me to join this group, after a project that we, and a couple of others, were working on, did not work out. No time for sulking, no big egos, we just jumped in and started helping this fledgeling group.

The leader, of this leaderless group ;-) graduated from Cambridge on a scholarship. There is an art teacher, a bar tender, and an NYU student, amongst its approximate 12 members. They are all very bright, and they all know that direct action is imperative for the success of this movement.

My job consists of what I call 'making their events shine,' which includes setting up, securing displays, talking to people, and breaking down, and packing up at the finish. Anything that needs to be done on the day of the event, I do happily. I also send out invitations from home to our "pop-ups" to unis within a 25-30 mile radius of NYC, as well as using some of their lit to make hybrid flyers for the area I live in which is about 65 mles away from NYC.

Make no mistake about it though, these kids do the over-whelming majority of the work in preparing for these events They are truly admirable, and one more time, 'I love them all.'

[-] 1 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 11 years ago

Sounds like a pretty good mix of people. Teacher, blue-collar, student. That helps a lot, various different perspectives.

[-] 2 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Yes, it's a wonderful mix of backgrounds, and we all find the place where we fit in best. There are people from three different countries in this group too.

I have known one girl who after so graciously helping to host one of these family friendly pop-up events....then do jail watch that same night,..... that's getting the names of people being arrested, setting up the NLG for them,....and then greeting people who went through the usually traumatizing experience of being arrested for standing up for what they believe in.

Many of the people on this forum could learn a lot from these young people, as I have.

[-] 1 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 11 years ago

How big a group are they? Or is it constantly changing?

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

There are approximately twelve members, I would say, but there are probably 4-6 core members. Not everyone can show up at the pop-up events all the time because of other obligations in their lives. Some come late, or have to leave early because of that too. So far i have helped at 6 of the 9 events, having missed three while i was in Alaska. At all the events that I went to, I was usually one of the first to show up, and the last to leave because I have made it my job to help set up, and break down at the end. Anyway we always have enough people to help pull it off. There are no gult trips, if you gotta go early or can't show up....no problem. Together with all the other collaborating groups that come to these pop-ups, these events truly do shine.

[-] -1 points by TheHappyProteus (-1) 11 years ago

kids/people is a false dichotomy. It implies that kids are not people ;-)

[-] 1 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 11 years ago

Good point, ya friggin' wise guy. But then, some of the kids I've met lately . . .

Hell, why am I even answering this? By now TheHappyProteus has probably morphed.

[-] 1 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 11 years ago

Occupy Town Square really is one of the best affinity groups in the movement.

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Yes I love those kids. One of the members. Ph.... had agreed to come on, but I told her not to bother. Have you read all the comments here?

[-] 1 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 11 years ago

Not yet, I read very slowly

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Please take the time. I read slow too. Believe me, I did not put this thread up for this to happen

[-] 0 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Support OTS!

[-] 1 points by poof (-10) 11 years ago

You can start by dropping partisan politics or going back to moveon.org. Your divisive attitude based on name calling is unwanted here. You do not support OTS, you work against all it stands for.

[-] -1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

No need to attack me. I ain't done nothing wrong. I only bumped up the pro OTS post.

Is it ok with you if I exercize my freedom of speech. Or is only opinions you agree with allowed?

You wanna give me a list of what is not allowed?

[-] 0 points by poof (-10) 11 years ago

Read the forum rules.

[-] 0 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

NO!

[-] -1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

I break no rules! You do! Thats why you are routinely banned. You need to read the rules.

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

"Support OTS!" No argument there. It is too bad that you couldn't be more like those wonderful kids in that group who understand what this rev is about, and how it should be prosecuted

[-] -1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

We can't all be the same. diversity is a strength. Do you support diversity?

Or are you one of those people who isn't comfortable around people who are different.

Some words of wisdom that might allow you to be a little more tolerant of my different opinion. Please accept them in the good nature I offer if.

“Wide differences of opinion in matters of religious, political, and social belief must exist if conscience and intellect alike are not to be stunted, if there is to be room for healthy growth.” ― Theodore Roosevelt,

“If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.” ― John F. Kennedy

“The terrible tyranny of the majority.” ― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

“It is never too late to give up your prejudices” ― Henry David Thoreau

[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

"Or are you one of those people who isn't comfortable around people who are different."

OK...now I see you have changed your insidious tactics yet again on me. Your negative connotation is clear. This I would classify as a combination of a, 'Holier Than Thou' tactic, and the race 'Race Card' tactic that you played on me earlier. And I will classify them as 1A, and 1B respectively in my notes. I"m still waiting for the 'Victim' tactic to be deployed today.

Certainly it should be no mystery to you why so many people here can't help, but blow their corks with you

By stating all those wonderful quotes, it does not mean that you embody any of the virtues in them, and it also does not mean that I am guilty of having a lack of probidity, in not wanting you to run this struggle into the ground for the sake of having dems elected

If you do not like the way this movement is being run, you should contact the administration here, and let them know.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Funny that sounds like you!

This I would classify as a combination of a, 'Holier Than Thou' tactic, and the race 'Race Card' tactic that you played on me earlier. And I will classify them as 1A, and 1B respectively in my notes. I"m still waiting for the 'Victim' tactic to be deployed today.

By the way it has been awhile since you last played the victim. When was the last time? Yesterday(?) or the Day before? Never mind - no big deal. I am sure you will go back to it soon enough.

[-] 1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

No victim here DK, just interested in the success of this movement.......

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

And attacking my relationship with my mother?

[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

NO attack from me VQ!

[-] -2 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Didn't you say say you would use this type of attack when you claimed you were attacked regarding your familial relationship? I remember that pretty clearly.

[-] 1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

NO, that's more phooey

[-] 0 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

I remember pretty well. I guess I could understand why you would deny it,

But you know I would never use someones family against them.

These things should be off limits. So why can't you just tell your friend poof to stop.?

It's wrong! Don't you agree?

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Yes portraying family relationships in a negative way should be totally off-limits

poof is not my friend, but he does agree with me that this place should not be turned into election central as you seem to want it to be

'poof, if you are reading this quit making fun of family relationships if you did, OK?'

[-] 0 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

That's more like it.

Now leave me alone.

And know that I will challenge any anti dem partisan campaigning as is my right!

No election central? Lets see.

[-] -1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

I know that you have not been a victim - you just like to play that roll - A LOT.

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

I know it is not easy to follow what this rev is about from CR, DK. When I was in AK, I had to rely on VQ for up to the date info. Did you get those directions I gave you to WSP? Take the A, C, or E train from the upper west side to West 4th St.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

I do and I remember making a reply . . just can't remember what the reply was . . . perhaps something like ... I don't need to be on the ground in NY to understand OWS and ALL Occupy Movements . . . it may also have contained something like - it is you who seems to be wearing blinders or is suffering from tunnel vision.

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Yes, it may be me, and the over-whelming majority of OWS supporters that I know in NYC that might be "wearing blinders or is suffering from tunnel vision," too.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

It is funny that you ass-ume to talk for them as you also ass-ume to talk for and be the Judge for this OWS forum as well.

[+] -5 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

I'm ok with the way they are running the site. They did ban you didn't they?

I'm simply asking you to be tolerant of different opinions. I'm appealing to the better angels of your nature to read and understand the quotes, to look at them as words to live by.

Obviously, you are not comfortable with people who differ from you. You are not alone. many people have overcome these profound problems.

I am here to help. I only ask that you please stop personally attacking me just because we have different opinion. I beg you to call off your friends attacks on me and my relationship with my mother! I didn't think YOU would stoop that low.

Please I beg you just leave me alone. I won't bother you Odin.

In an effort to get along I ask that you give me list of the opinions that you do not allow on this site.

[-] 4 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

I have NEVER, NEVER attacked your relationship with any memeber of your family, including your mom, so please don't imply that I ever did

I will label this noxious tactic 1C, The Lie, in my notes

This is a forum. When you make a comment, you have to expect to get a reply. Those who agree with you will reaffirm their reasons for doing so. Those who do not agree with you will challenge the assertions you have made. It is NOT an attack though.

"Many people have overcome these profound problems." Let's see, we will classify this tactic as, 'Those who disagree with you have PROFOUND personal problems,' lol. I will number it 1D in my notes

"Please i beg you leave me alone." There's that 'I'm a Victim' tactic in play, 1E

You cannot expect to be challenged in you efforts to change the course of this rev

When i put up a comment, I fully expect for it to be 'challenged' , or 'attacked' as you put it

So quit acting like the fragile person that you DEFINITELY are not, by making me the big bad bogeyman

[-] 2 points by poof (-10) 11 years ago

"Many people have overcome these profound problems." Let's see, we will classify this tactic as, 'Those who disagree with you have PROFOUND personal problems,' lol. I will number it 1D in my notes

That cracked me up!

[-] 1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Yes, I was laughing writing it too.

[-] -2 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

You don't mind laughin it up with your friend who attacked my relationship with my mother? Does that mean it is ok to attack your relationship with your family.?

[-] 3 points by richardkentgates (3269) 11 years ago

You attack members of an Occupy affinity group, and accuse them of being anti-dems in order to stir partisan divides on the forum. How are you justified? By the way, how long did you work on DK before you felt comfortable that you could remain unchallenged? DK is a good guy and you're taking advantage. How shameful is that? Pretty goddamn spineless if you ask me. Everyone else now sees what you are, DK will soon as well.

[+] -4 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

I haven't attacked any affinity group! More of your KarlRovian lies. Do you have proof?. Or are you not smart enough to understand that basic process.

And what exactly did I do to DK.? You are clearly having some sort of breakdown? Lay down. Take a pill. You're not making any sense.

[-] 1 points by richardkentgates (3269) 11 years ago

More partisan play. Typical.

[+] -4 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Blatant lies like your candidate lyin' Ryan!

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Once again, I did NOT see any attack on you family on here, NOR did I make one, so get off of it VQ!!

[-] 1 points by LetsGetReal (1420) from Grants, NM 11 years ago

The problem with wrestling with a pig is that you'll just get muddy, but the pig will enjoy it.

[-] 1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Yeah you're right I guess. Thanks for the advice.

[+] -4 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Please just ask the friend you were laughing at me with (poof) to stop. His comments to me indicate you were behind it, and I know you are a leader so I could see how you might use this type of attack against me.

C'mon, you know how bad that kind of scurrelous attack is! have a heart.

[-] 3 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

More fake phooey from you VQ

[-] -3 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Why would you have your friends attack me like this. I've only ever been respectful with you.?

Please just let me be. And call off your friends as well.

Thanx

Solidarity and Good luck in all your good efforts.

[Removed]

[-] 1 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

Damn!!!!!

[-] -1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Please stop personally attacking me. Your insults are unfounded and baseless. Please leave me alone.

Solidarity. Good luck to you and all your good efforts.

[-] 1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

I did NOT have my friend do anything.

You have shown me, and many others here a total lack of respect

I almost forgot: Your False Accusations tactic will be numbered 1F in my notes, and Your Repeated False Accusations will be 1G, ok?

[-] -1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago
  • But I was attacked with the family related attack.

  • You did complain that you were attacked the same way.

  • You did threaten to use the same attack

  • You are a leader

  • You were seen laughing at me with the guy who executed your attack

  • Poof comments did indicate you were involved.

  • You denied you knew who it was even after we discussed the name of your friend

  • You have threatened me repeatedly.

  • You have attacked me continually because you don't like my opinion.

How can these things be coincidences.?

I'm sorry I can't believe you. I mean you have lied repeatedly in the past.

Do I have to report you to the mods again?

[-] -1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Again that sounds an awful lot like you. Noxious tactic C ? As you use in your playing the victim tactic?

I have NEVER, NEVER attacked your relationship with any memeber of your family, including your mom, so please don't imply that I ever did I will label this noxious tactic 1C, The Lie, in my notes I have classified that as the Victim tactic, 1E in my notes

[-] 2 points by concernedforumcitizen (2) 11 years ago

You should not defend VQkag2. Read his postings objectively. He is the worst troll here.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Who might U B - Hhmmmm? U R not new 2 the 4um.

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

lol

[-] -1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

But your friend did attack me and my relationship with my mother. I recall you discussing this tactic in the past, and I know you referred to the "others" so you most likely are coordinating your attacks.

I guess I'm just begging you. Please no mothers man. It ain't right. We're just discussing issues that affect the 99%. We may disagree but I thought YOU had already drawn that family line.

Please call off the dogs!

[-] 2 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

ONE MORE TIME, I did not attack anyone in your family or the relationships you have wtih them at all, Not at all

Nor did I see anyone attack you, so think of another tactic to turn this rev into a docile ineffective one

The only dogs I have ever had, had four legs!

[-] 0 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

You were just laughing at me with him! Did you get a good laugh when you 2 decided to attack my relationship with my mother too?

I know it came from you because you were complaining about this kind of attack in the past. Maybe you are the other login name also?

[-] 1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

NO WE WERE NOT laughing about that, and you f**king know it

This is just another one of your malicious attempts to discredit anyone who diasagrees with you

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

tch tch tch - obscenities Odin? How low will you go? I mean you are against the use of obscenities right? Isn't that a prime complaint of yours?


[-] 1 points by Evergreen38 (65) 3 minutes ago

NO WE WERE NOT laughing about that, and you f**king know it

This is just another one of your malicious attempts to discredit anyone who diasagrees with you ↥twinkle ↧stinkle reply permalink

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

yes forgive me. I did not tell him to 'f**k off' though, did I?

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

And an excuse ( or qualifier ) for your lapse....Hhmmmm. Sounds to me like you have different standards for your own actions then you have for others. Ummm Hypocrite much?

[-] 0 points by poof (-10) 11 years ago

Don't you have a letter for the president to write? Why to you interject in other people's conversations. Are you VQkag2's bodyguard or lover?

[-] -1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Are you Odins body guard or lover? Or are you Satan to his Faust? Running your own game on the stubborn sap using his obvious prejudices to attract him to you? It is also funny to see hchc as part of your crew. You running the same game on him? Or is he just willing to play the game?

[-] -1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Do we disagree about something?. I thought you were against attacking people regarding their familial relationships. I'm against it! Are you? If so why did you engineer your friend poof to recreate the attack you claim was made against you.

Too much coincidence.

[-] 2 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

I am TOTALLY against attacking family relationships, from the sounds of it, I have been a victim of it in far more scurrilous way than you were by whoever did it to you

[-] 0 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

You know who because he indicated you were involved, you were laughing at me with him, and because I've already mentioned his name.

Why are you still pretending you don't know?

[-] 1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

more malarkey from you the eternal victim

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Stop the family attacks and we might be able to coexist.

[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Stop the malicious FALSE accusations!!

[-] 0 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Please leave me alone! The message your responding to is an hour old!

[-] 0 points by TheHappyProteus (-1) 11 years ago

It's great to hear what OWS is really about. Reading this forum usually leads to an illusion of what OWS is and isn't, but posts like yours do a little to rectify that. Keep them coming! Let's make this site about OWS!

[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Thank You very much. "Lets make this site about OWS!" That is exactly what I would like to see.

[Removed]

[-] 0 points by bensdad (8977) 11 years ago

We must avoid political involvement!


The Mormon church avoided anything to do with politics -
where did it get them?
The 1920s prohibition movement avoided anything to do with politics -
where did it get them?
The tea potty movement avoided anything to do with politics -
where did it get them?
The civil rights avoided anything to do with politics -
where did it get them?
The anti-Vietnam war movement avoided anything to do with politics -
where did it get them?
The founding fathers avoided anything to do with politics -
where did it get them?
The koch brothers avoided anything to do with politics -
where did it get them?


OR - do I have something backwards here?


If OWS cannot transition from a protest movement to true political power,
by means of the VOTE, our current state of "stalled" will become "toppled".
And you can bet that david & charlie & sheldon will applaud at the funeral


YES - I know this is blatantly sacreligious
...................................................................and that is at the core of the problem


OWS has devolved into a religion -
..............................................................where the tool has become the goal.


We must avoid political involvement!

...................................................................OR ? ¿ ? ¿ ? ¿ ? ¿ ? ¿


[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

The successful struggles of the past which were led by radicals did not enter the political arena, until after they were in the position of strength

[-] 1 points by bensdad (8977) 11 years ago

tell that to Ben Franklin &
MLK &
Carrie Nation &
me ( an anti-Vietam war veteran )


are you saying that today, OWS is incapable of doing what
the tp did two years ago?

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

How many years were people out there, committing acts of civill disobedience in the fight for Civil Rights, or in Roosevelt's New Deal for that matter? The TP was well funded by the Koch boys, and it mirrored what much of what the neoliberal agenda is. So there is very little comparison there.

[-] 0 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

do they support republican ideas!?

[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

No they definitely do not support republican ideas, but they like the rest of Occupy are not partisan

[-] 1 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

They sound like hard working decent people. We need all the help we can get because the entire political system is in the crapper!

[-] -2 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

They are wonderful young people, and I feel honored to be a trusted member of this group.

[-] 0 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

Sounds like you found a place that accepts and values you. We all need that.

It is a wonderful thing that you could find that while working to help others. We all need what you found.

[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Thank You. One of the young members called me to see if I got home OK after being in a protest that followed an OTS event. I remember replying to that young lady, 'yes mommy, I am home safe.' lol I feel very fortunate to have gotten involved with these kids, ( 20-35 years old) early this year. They are the 'cream of the crop' in Occupy Wall Street.

[Deleted]

[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

No...just letting you know what OTS, and OWS is about. That's all.

[Deleted]

[-] 2 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

He's really Odin. One of the anti free speech zealots!

[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Perhaps a mis-statement on my part. You will find tons of partisanship on this forum, but extremely little of it in the streets, parks, and people who are close to the heart of this movement. That's fact, believe it, or not.

[Deleted]

[-] -3 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

No i do not necessarily believe that people who talk politics in OWS are not supportive members. But promoting politics within OWS is not what this movement is about. And let's not be naieve, there are people here that are trying to sap the energy from this movement for ulterior purposes

[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

I apologize to all the people in Occupy Town Square for exposing them to the maliciousness of VQkag2

[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

These people are great.

[-] -1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Listen-up naysayers: From a premier OWS affinity Group.

Starting early this year, mobile, daytime occupations, called Occupy Town Squares, have been held in parks and other public spaces around New York City. With info tables, teach-ins, trainings, political discussions, each event seeks to recreate the spirit of occupation and reclaim our public commons in the fullest possible sense: for the purpose of democratic civic engagement, to strengthen our communities, share our resources, and to broaden and deepen our connections with public space and with one another.


So - BACK OFF ON ATTACKS ON ON-LINE OWS and all OCCUPY Supporters having political discussions.

HELL - READ ABOVE PREMIER OWS Affinity Group.

You need to ask no more.

[-] 1 points by jrhirsch (4714) from Sun City, CA 11 years ago

Have you been to any Occupy group where a political party was the focus of their action? Or was the focus against the injustice within government and wall street regardless of party?

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Regardless of party. That is one reason I say corpoRATist or RINO or DINO because the politicians in government that are not working for the people have no party alliegence - they are what they are in name only and are supporting profits over people/society/environment/world/life.

That is why I push issues - for or against - and Why I Say look for individuals in office and running for office that support our issues.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

EDIT: ( addition )

But now we have the Cji-town group protesting the Obama admin and that is cool as the admin needs to be yelled at.

And if it had not been for the Hurricane - I do believe the protest at the RINOConvention would have been much bigger and active as well.

[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Yes i too believe if it had not been for the hurricane, the protest at the repub convention in Tampa would have been much bigger

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Whatever you need DK to distort what this group is about.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

What - you mean that you have not seen the light - that you were not brought into the light of the Affinity group that let you adopt them?

Well and here I thought that you had found a way to make peace with your past errors.

Huh.

[Deleted]

[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

Imply about what?

[Deleted]

[-] 0 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

There is no advocating for political parties, or ideologies at OTS events, or any OWS events that I have EVER went to. Rather what is discussed is the common 'opponent' (for lack of a better word)....neoliberalism.

[Deleted]

[-] 0 points by richardkentgates (3269) 11 years ago

Internal bickering is the opposite of productive. Go grab a beer or something, relax.

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[-] 1 points by richardkentgates (3269) 11 years ago

I want you guys to stop bitching at each other over the dumbest argument of the day.

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[-] 0 points by richardkentgates (3269) 11 years ago

This forum was founded by and is still operated by anarchists...{Face Palm}

[-] 3 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

And Anarchists have no problem with Direct Democracy. Or with working from within and without a system to achieve peaceful positive change/revolution.

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Who were you replying to? If the comment that you want to reply to has no reply button? then the thread has reached it's limit. But to avoid confusion. You can copy the comment you are responding to - then scroll up to an earlier point in the conversation and find a reply button to the person you want - then make your reply and paste their last comment below your response and then save the comment - it will then go to that individual with the comment you are responding to. {:-])

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Ummm . . . I think you may have replied to the wrong comment?


[-] 1 points by Proteus (377) from Quebec, QC 2 minutes ago

I did, and you know what? It was the highest score I ever had! ↥twinkle ↧stinkle reply permalink

[-] 0 points by richardkentgates (3269) 11 years ago

People thought the world was flat.

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

It is a public forum. If you were to take that limited untwisted(?) definition of Anarchy and apply it to the conversations going on here - on their forum - What do you think the Anarchist(?) moderators would be doing right about now?

[-] 1 points by richardkentgates (3269) 11 years ago

Exactly

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

So many people do not understand - that is the power of bad press/PR.

And now we face some of the biggest most far reaching powerful PR/Spin/Misinformation/Propaganda/ Machines = THE MSM ( powered by corpoRATs ).

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[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Let me share a definition I ran across at one time - look at the expressed Ideals then compare to the expressed Ideals of Democracy and Republic :

What is anarchism?

Anarchism is the movement for social justice through freedom. It is concrete, democratic and egalitarian. It has existed and developed since the seventeenth century, with a philosophy and a defined outlook that have evolved and grown with time and circumstance. Anarchism began as what it remains today: a direct challenge by the underprivileged to their oppression and exploitation. It opposes both the insidious growth of state power and the pernicious ethos of possessive individualism, which, together or separately, ultimately serve only the interests of the few at the expense of the rest.

Anarchism promotes mutual aid, harmony and human solidarity, to achieve a free, classless society - a cooperative commonwealth. Anarchism is both a theory and practice of life. Philosophically, it aims for perfect accord between the individual, society and nature. In an anarchist society, mutually respectful sovereign individuals would be organised in non-coercive relationships within naturally defined communities in which the means of production and distribution are held in common.

Anarchists, are not simply dreamers obsessed with abstract principles. We know that events are ruled by chance, and that people’s actions depend much on long-held habits and on psychological and emotional factors that are often anti-social and usually unpredictable. We are well aware that a perfect society cannot be won tomorrow. Indeed, the struggle could last forever! However, it is the vision that provides the spur to struggle against things as they are, and for things that might be.

Whatever the immediate prospects of achieving a free society, and however remote the ideal, if we value our common humanity then we must never cease to strive to realise our vision. If we settle for anything less, then we are little more than beasts of burden at the service of the privileged few, without much to gain from life other than a lighter load, better feed and a cosier berth.

Ultimately, only struggle determines outcome, and progress towards a more meaningful community must begin with the will to resist every form of injustice.

In general terms, this means challenging all exploitation and defying the legitimacy of all coercive authority. If anarchists have one article of unshakeable faith then it is that, once the habit of deferring to politicians or ideologues is lost, and that of resistance to domination and exploitation acquired, then ordinary people have a capacity to organise every aspect of their lives in their own interests, anywhere and at any time, both freely and fairly.

Anarchism encompasses such a broad view of the world that it cannot easily be distilled into a formal definition. Michael Bakunin, the man whose writings and example over a century ago did most to transform anarchism from an abstract critique of political power into a theory of practical social action, defined its fundamental tenet thus: In a word, we reject all privileged, licensed, official, and legal legislation and authority, even though it arise from universal suffrage, convinced that it could only turn to the benefit of a dominant and exploiting minority, and against the interests of the vast enslaved majority.

Anarchists do not stand aside from popular struggle, nor do they attempt to dominate it. They seek to contribute to it practically whatever they can, and also to assist within it the highest possible levels both of individual self-development and of group solidarity. It is possible to recognise anarchist ideas concerning voluntary relationships, egalitarian participation in decision-making processes, mutual aid and a related critique of all forms of domination in philosophical, social and revolutionary movements in all times and places.

Elsewhere, the less formal practices and struggles of the more indomitable among the propertyless and disadvantaged victims of the authority system have found articulation in the writings of those who on brief acquaintance would appear to be mere millenarian dreamers. Far from being abstract speculations conjured out of thin air, such works have, like all social theories, been derived from sensitive observation. They reflect the fundamental and uncontainable conviction nourished by a conscious minority throughout history that social power held over people is a usurpation of natural rights: power originates in the people, and they alone have, together, the right to wield it.

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[-] -1 points by Evergreen38 (14) 11 years ago

There's no reason for your antagonism, and I will not respond to you.