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Forum Post: The new movement

Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 27, 2012, 4:21 a.m. EST by The1Voice (18)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

I went to Wall Street and what I saw wasn't a rally of individuals working together to achieve a common goal. It was a gathering of homeless people so happy to be "weird" to onlookers that the movement would seem to be more of a, "look at how different and craaazy I am!"

The fact that the occupy movement has no leader and is organized by a council of the people seems foolish. This isn't Egypt or Syria, in the United States people are more willing to listen to one individual speaking for the masses. I've been to many protests and not one word the crowds of people screamed and wrote on their signs ever stuck in my head. For the same reason one cannot pick out one cry of a seagull amidst a flock of hundreds.

There should be one voice comprised of the words of the group. Chosen by the individuals to benefit the community. There is strength in unity by the power in self. We cannot all protest like at Wall Street the same way as before. The body needs a head for which a mouth can speak for the body. No power, just a speaker. No fascism, but putting one person in front to be the loudest voice above the angry masses of the 99%.

Beyond having a person speaking for the community, the power of the individual must be strengthened. The news made a laughing stock out of the movement and protesting big business while bringing your macs to the protest makes the lot of us appear as discordians.

Empower yourselves with knowledge in what you are protesting. Because if there is to be one voice and one body for which the occupy movement can be comprised of, then the vast majority should learn as much as they can. Those who are serious about the movement would do this if they haven't already.

What I agree with the movement is the understanding of the danger of big business and the unfairness of the rich getting richer while the poor get poorer. You all know the development of greener technology and the lessening our dependence on oil is fought against with subtlety by the large companies that refuse to lose even a dollar of their oil profits.

Let me back up before I sound like a conspiracy fool. Need is the lifeblood of all business. The companies all need it and find every way to exploit the people to get it. For what though, is making millions not enough? Everyone here understands this, that why the occupy movement exists in the USA at all! I've worked in retail before and have seen how the company uses every trick to create an atmosphere of buying. They throw words like ,"need," "easy," and "smart decision," to make you think that buying their crap is the only good idea. Go into Best Buy for example and listen to their audio loops in the store. I get you will hear each of those words in one way or another.

So back to my point, this movement has potential. The people are angry, but there are too many voices. Let there be one voice to speak above the voices. Empower yourselves so that we as individuals can be like a snowflake. The snowflake is unique and one of a kind, but when rallied together they are carried by the howling voice of the wind to create a snowstorm.

71 Comments

71 Comments


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[-] 2 points by geo (2638) from Concord, NC 11 years ago

You want to oversimplify our society's problems and present a solitary sound bite?

Things have been going wrong for decades. The problems are many, the problems are cross cutting, the fix is complex. This is reflected in the many voices of OWS.

Falling into the trap of just one voice... is just that a trap. Just one person for the media to focus on and drill into with pin point laser accuracy. We are human, all of us... who doesn't have aspects that can't be used against them somehow in the light of a media witch hunt? Kill the head and you kill the movement. History shows this, unless martyrdom is your thing.

Real power is when all of us are in the streets.... not when one of us becomes a talking head for the media.

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

Right-ON.

[-] 2 points by toobighasfailed (117) 12 years ago

I'd love to see a leader or a focused website come to the forefront. The question is, What would be the focus?

Can we agree on a focus?

I'd say that Wall Street should be the focus, since they're still essentially practicing the status quo and are still in dire need of reform. Glass-Steagall, regulations on derivatives, breaking up the banks—none of that has happened yet.

All the while the home page of this site is talking about ... not Wall Street.

[-] 3 points by elf3 (4203) 12 years ago

Yes monopolistic corporations making laws on the people by bribing our politicians and subverting legal processes and justice.

[-] 2 points by toobighasfailed (117) 12 years ago

I like that. I'd say "Too Big Has Failed." It's a matter of a large business/political class that writes the rules and harms the rest of us.

[-] 1 points by quantumystic (1710) from Memphis, TN 12 years ago

Our focus should be autonomy. By implementing new urbanism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Urbanism and autonomous building http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_building methods, as well as the practices of permaculture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture and aquaponics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaponics we can break their backs. By developing communities where you can walk, bike, or take efficient public transportation to shopping, entertainment and leisure activities, school, and work. As well as produce your own food. merchandise and services regionally under the control of cooperatives http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co-op and b corporations http://www.bcorporation.net/. We can greatly reduce not only the destruction caused by wanton consumerism but begin to remediate the destruction we have caused to not just the environment but the human condition. We can do this people we can green deserts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ra89Y3WefQ . We can change the world!!! Here are some good sites to help us. I encourage you to post any other sites that would be helpful to achieving these goals. http://www.slowmovement.com/ http://www.newurbanism.org/ http://earthship.com/ http://www.bfi.org/ http://aquaponicsassociation.org/ http://www.slowfoodusa.org/ http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/index/ http://www.evolver.net/ http://www.realitysandwich.com/ http://www.evolvernetwork.org/ http://www.occupy.com/ http://www.maps.org/ http://opensourceecology.org/

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

I like this idea, this further expands on why I've been saying. We improve ourselves to bring about change and success in the community.

[-] 1 points by SparkyJP (1646) from Westminster, MD 12 years ago

I nominate this website:

http://osixs.org/CommonSense3.aspx

Warning: You won't like this idea if you think government can fix itself or that we can actually influence it.

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

Wall street is small compared to simply empowering the 99% to effect the country as a whole. Every politician will fear the people when we are organized and united with one cause. We improve ourselves to improve the community, we improve the country to help the world. We merge the gap between 99% and the 1%. Republicans and democrats, etc. We must organize and be our best to achieve our true potential. Occupy did good, but we can do better.

[-] 1 points by toobighasfailed (117) 12 years ago

I agree that uniting around one cause will make the movement unstoppable. But, again, what should that cause be?

The reason the cause should be Wall Street reform is that the Wall Street firms were a driving factor behind the financial crisis and resulting recession—with total costs that dwarf other recent costs: http://www.switchyourbank.org/how_much_did_the_global_credit_crisis_cost

Reforming Wall Street would empower the 99% like nothing else.

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

That's not big enough, we need to focus on the future of America. Idk if my last post went through the Internet went out earlier. Check mine out if its there, that is our cause. Nationalism and the empowerment of the individual to improve the group.

[-] 2 points by Underdog (2971) from Clermont, FL 12 years ago

I too have advocated for the power of a single leader voice. History shows that a Ghandi or King can have a powerful impact on a movement. The problem is, unfortunately, that a Ghandi or King can't be found on just any street corner. Those types of great leaders are exceedingly rare, and if a mediocre leader were to emerge as the "voice" of Occupy, such a person could cause more harm than good by speaking out in a foolish or ill-conceived way and causing, perhaps, irreparable harm to the movement.

We will just have to be patient and wait to see if a truly great leader emerges someday. Otherwise, Occupy has already made important contributions without a leader of any kind, although it could possibly have made greater progress more quickly if it had one. The movement is what it is, and time will tell what it evolves into.

[-] 2 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

As I said to bullfrogma, the leader could coordinate and operate through a website and before putting anything up he discusses the information with everyone so that no one is misunderstood. The discussions could happen on the chat room or here on the forums.

[-] 1 points by Underdog (2971) from Clermont, FL 12 years ago

A great leader needs to be charismatic and be able to speak for the movement through media interviews and very public outlets, not excluding leaders of government as a means to conduct "negotiations" or represent the demands of the movement to the established status quo in order to effect desired change. Such a great leader cannot be bound by filtration and restrictive means such as a website that are, admittedly, good and well-intentioned to preserve the integrity of the movement.

Can you imagine a Ghandi or King trying to lead a movement by way of carefully scripted or restricted talking points? Of course not. The great leader will have all of the wisdom and oratory already within the soul of his/her being, and every word that is uttered is spoken from an inner compass of direction that is flawlessly focused on guiding the ship of the movement in the direction that it and its members desire to go, and that is the difference between a mediocre leader and a truly great leader.

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

I totally agree, the website would only be intended to educate and reach out from leader to the rest of the country not joined in the protest yet. I understand that the need to speak in person with leaders and other important people is essential to the success of a leader and the movement itself.

[-] 1 points by Underdog (2971) from Clermont, FL 12 years ago

Oh ok. I think I was misunderstanding the intent of the theoretical website you and bullfrogma were talking about. I thought you were talking about a site where members are determining the content of what the leader speaks about, but you're saying the site is mearly a communication vehicle for the leader to address the public. But bfm asked "What if the leader wasn't a person?", so that got me confused I think (kinda like corporations are "persons", but in reverse). :)

[-] 1 points by bullfrogma (448) 12 years ago

We do form slightly different thoughts. We all have our own language and that creates enough confusion. Tower of political babble. The thing i was imagining was not just a website but a foundation and for the sake of getting through to the mass, only to create something everyone can know about, something perfectly official to be the champion that everyone can get a firm grip on.

Maybe an entirely new branch of democracy to demand response with, or maybe just a strategy for showcasing the discovered truth. Foundation Of United Rights, or something. Equal rights. Having the right to explore being alive, and equally having no right to ruin that for other people, that experiment of other people. It's the only situation strong enough to survive, because ideas should have equal rights.

[-] 2 points by bullfrogma (448) 12 years ago

This is from another post, the fleet of ships, and about the same thing.

What if the leader wasn't a person? What if the leader was a website that everyone could turn to and rely on? Something as user friendly and confident as google is, that the mass could get a firm grip on. Something to organise and coordinate the problems and solutions which have become so understandable. Not a leader, just a conduit.

The subversion that appears on this forum is designed to confuse and suppress this very thing, our uniting a mass understanding and the peaceful, ultimate weapon that creates. This is what they fear because it's the only thing that can stop them. If we could concentrate our fire like a laser it would perform surgery.

Imagine a website that everyone could resort to, like a lense for that laser. Making these anti-corruption amendments actually happen. We need the mass to understand what's going on and for that you need a better organisation, strategy and marketing.

I like the symbol occupy uses but it might terrorfy some old lady and some people who consider themselves rational won't take it seriously. There's a reason pretty much every company uses the most generic shapes for their logo. You have to be elevator music, and also no joke.

This monopoly is trying to control life in ways that are destroying us. There has never been anything to qualify so much as an emergency for the sake of humanity. I'm begging occupy to start something that can really unite people.

[-] 1 points by Underdog (2971) from Clermont, FL 12 years ago

Are you familiar with the site below?

http://www.occupy.com/

[-] 2 points by bullfrogma (448) 12 years ago

Occupy has a huge advantage of reputation. It was a pretty big thing. It's the identity as being an organ of protesting that most people aren't conditioned to participate with. If occupy could take the form of official democracy i think more people could climb on board.

[-] 2 points by Underdog (2971) from Clermont, FL 12 years ago

Maybe you should team up with The1Voice (since he/she is a web designer) and create exactly your concept of what you're looking for. What's another website in the world? Maybe it would really take off and be the success that you (and we) are wanting/needing for Occupy to gain more ground.

[-] 2 points by bullfrogma (448) 12 years ago

I would love to, except it would be much more effective if something was created by occupy. Despite ridicule and the overwhelming aversion people have for the ugly duck, occupy has already managed to create a hero. All those same people secrectly hope it will win.

If occupy could do something like wear a suit and tie and run for president, it would probably be received all over like a person who is crying because they are so happy.

I have to be honest that part of me is a little afraid that occupy is organized at some level by the people in power because it is also the absolute perfect thing to keep their control, giving a sense that the best thing that can be done is being done, exactly like a controlled fire. Even if it did not start this way it could become that. It's astounding how simple an agent can be.

Don't let my paranoia rub off though, the infernal convert but truth is eternal.

[-] 2 points by Underdog (2971) from Clermont, FL 12 years ago

Anything that is free and open runs the risk of being subverted. If you're going to have the human population involved in something (and in this case a theoretical 99% of them), then you will never have total agreement. Quite frankly, it is amazing enough to me that Occupy has accomplished everything that it has with no leadership, because anyone who understands human nature knows that there are many people who do not agree with Occupy's goals and methods, and the range of action by those people could be anything from mild criticism to full-blown subversion/destruction. There have always been LOTS of trolls on this forum, and that is just this forum (imagine how many opponents might have been involved in the actual protests). Most trolls here are identified fairly quickly, but some are more insidious. Such is the price that must be paid for freedom both here and in the streets ... eternal vigilence.

In general, the most important thing Occupy has done is contributed to the national conversation regarding abuses by the banking sector and government. Many people are now aware of things that may have taken longer to enter the national conciousness if Occupy had not been there to scream loudly about them. I do not know what Occupy will morph into as time goes by, but I consider its work to be a vital contribution to change in this country, although I'd certainly be thrilled if it could reach a wider audience (the general masses).

[-] 1 points by bullfrogma (448) 12 years ago

That's a good point, that occupy was able to be heard. I think that's a big thing to keep pushing for, to show the mass what's happening and to give them something they can do about it. From what i understand about the combination of marketing and the mentallity we have mostly been conditioned with, that goal is going to take the most effective deployment, simple, easy, and consistent, persistent.

Almost everybody wants somebody to save them. Just like we are addicted to our comforts (that addiction "they" take advantage of). Somebody doesn't have to do something, we have to do something. Now if we could get these anti money and corruption amendments to pass would that really solve it at the root?

Speaking of subverting/confusing/discrediting. What do you think about this forum having just a few catagories to post in? Keep the 90% off topic randomness in the popularity contest threads and have something specifically for talking about problem solving and such. Trolls trying to bury an issue in clutter actually hurts, but trolls trying to poke holes in an idea actually helps.

[-] 1 points by Underdog (2971) from Clermont, FL 12 years ago

This forum, Imho, should remain a free and open platform/soapbox for discussion...this in the true spirit of the 1st Amendment (although I'm sure many cynics would laugh at that statement as they believe this forum is anything but free and open).

I would be more in favor of seperate SIGs (Special Interest Groups) discussion areas that focused exclusively on topics of particular interests to those participants.

[-] 1 points by bullfrogma (448) 12 years ago

That's a good idea. I like the mosh pit. I like seeing a little bit of everything. What people are made of. I've just been looking all over the internet for some kind of public think tank trying to boil down problem solving. This is it.

If there was a sub something here to provide space for a specific conversation that would be great. I'm really just interested in seeing a public think tank for solution, which can bubble with that as a focus and boil down good ideas to flesh out strategy without distraction.

It would probably be shut down for terrorism.

[-] 0 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

I agree, but with a website and being separate from occupy we have a fresh reputation and can focus on bigger goals, not Wall Street, but changing the country. We can improve the country by improving ourselves.

In still designing a site, but a separate movement would be better. Like I said something like New America the title says so much

[-] 1 points by Underdog (2971) from Clermont, FL 12 years ago

Go for it. It's a free country. My only advice is to try as hard as possible to be apolitical, and to instead be guided by that most universal of principles, a firm understanding of right and wrong, not Left or Right. If a person really knows injustice when they see it, propaganda when they see it, inequalities and inequities when they see it, then they have a moral compass to guide their ship of purpose. There are many treacherous obstacles that will attempt to sink us in the dangerous waters we navigate in. So take unassailable principles, timeless principles as your guide, and do not come under the influence of the crafty and insidious evil that is always looking for an opportunity to subvert and convert. I have seen it here before. Those who started out as true soldiers for the cause going over to the enemy.

Be careful, and good luck with your efforts.

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

I can't do it alone though, I need everyone here, you too. We get a site up and then we tell our friends and families and they tell theirs and we expand.

[-] 2 points by Underdog (2971) from Clermont, FL 12 years ago

Once you get it up and online send me the link. I'll look it over (cautiously). If I agree with its purpose and direction I might end up being a loyal supporter. But I won't agree to anything up front. I've lived too long to take anything at face value, and quite frankly, I don't even know you. But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt initially. We will see.

[-] 1 points by bullfrogma (448) 12 years ago

Yeah. There's just too much on it. Too much news. Too many pictures. So much distraction. It's not a statement, and there's too much to read. It's not something you can easily stand behind, and imagine it from the point of view of someone who's not impressed with occupy.

I thought represent.us was pretty good, but i don't know, it's not official.

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

Why should we follow occupy? Well make our own site, have our own voice and partner with the Occupy site as a separate entity.

[-] 1 points by bullfrogma (448) 12 years ago

Maybe. Occupy has more power to become anything than anything else does right now. If you're talking about working with the movement, you should. I would love to as well, just right now i'm locked in something i can't really describe. These few moments i get to check out this forum are my only free time, and pretty soon i'm going to loose even that. Fight the good fight or it will be bad, very bad.

[-] 0 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

I can create that site, the thing is by having a website lead the movement would be like a company leading the movement, it would be counter-productive. If the website were operated by the leader then all information to be posted would e discussed by the 99% so that the leader speaks for the people with their voice, not the leader making his own decisions and putting words in the mouths of everyone.

[-] 2 points by bullfrogma (448) 12 years ago

We've already figured everything out. It couldn't possibly be more understandable. We don't need a leader, just something that everyone can stand behind, the tip of a spear.

[-] 0 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

I can make the website, I'm a web designer and I get free hosting on a Canadian server.

One person should hold the spear and the voice of the people direct which way it points.

It will be a great idea to have coordination, lack of direction and an agenda seems to be the biggest criticism to the OWS. We can use a website, have a voice in front speaking through the website with the voice of the 99%

[-] 1 points by bullfrogma (448) 12 years ago

Have you seen the represent.us site? They do a pretty good job of having their mission upfront and easy to take in. Very few paths to get lost in, and the deeper information remains easy to read.

You should talk with more occupy people too. If there was such a site that every american would look at once, what do they need to know? And if everyone was on the same page, what should we do? Vote, strike? How do we get the government to stop beating off and start taking humanity seriously?

Maybe it would be enough to have people sign something. I'm not sure how that works. represent.us has people signing but you can sign more than once, and the counter on their site appears to be fake.

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

The represent us site sounds poorly made then. There would be events people can take part in at home without having to drive or sacrifice their schedules. If enough people agree to this I will begin the web hosting and development today.

[-] 1 points by bullfrogma (448) 12 years ago

Aye. All i know is that while i'm for the occupy movement, given my own business and routine, the represent.us site is the first thing that's been quick enough read, simple enough to understand, and easy enough to participate with that anyone can do all three in less than five minutes. A website can have all sorts of deeper information but it's important not to overwhelm the uninitiated.

[-] -2 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

I've been watching your conversation and it has sparked my interest. What is your position on fluff and partisanship. What is the issue range? hard data v opinion pieces? If you don't mind my asking.

[-] 1 points by bullfrogma (448) 12 years ago

i hope you're asking Voice because i haven't eaten in two days and have been awake since 5pm yesterday. If i don't pitch a hammock in the next 5 minutes my heart is going to stop. Good luck and good night you guys.

[-] 1 points by TechJunkie (3029) from Miami Beach, FL 12 years ago

You're barking up the wrong tree, because Occupy was founded by anarchists. They're as obsessed with rejecting hierarchy and structure as they are with any given social cause. Occupy is a struggle between anarchists and statist leftists, and the anarchists continue to have the upper hand because it's far easier to disrupt than to organize.

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

I will begin designing the site. The movement deserves a new name. How about New America? We will right the wrongs and bring forth a national awakening.

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

So whose with me in creating a website where the movement will be spoken by a single voice?

[-] 1 points by toobighasfailed (117) 12 years ago

What would the single voice say?

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

"Strength in Unity, Power in Self!"

[-] 1 points by Misaki (893) 12 years ago

Homeless people were always asking me about marijuana.

Funny thing. When I was in the middle of downtown in a shopping district, with people skateboarding nearby around 10 pm, one of the people doing tricks asked me what I was doing and if I wanted to buy weed.

Remember, OWS was originally planned to just last a day or two. The popularity it gained was unexpected but sort of like with this comic, people had unrealistic expectations of what could be accomplished through only enthusiasm.

Thinking is important too. In this case, to admit that corporations will not be 'defeated' through the present arguments is not acceptable to some people if there is not an explanation of why it seemed like it could be possible; why the system is broken.

[-] -1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

What's annoying about the occupy movement is that in the USA no one is interested in doing anything beyond protesting big business. No one is interested in seriously changing the United States. Our leaders make decisions during the electoral vote that will benefit them not their voters. Someone in office for four years won't fix the problems of the country.

[-] 1 points by Misaki (893) 11 years ago

Most people are not smart enough, or don't have the time to understand the reason for problems in the US or how to fix them.

Just like climate change, many of the issues that OWS has referred to are seen as lower priority than job creation for many people, including the President.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-climate-change-priority-20121114,0,1745357.story

If unemployment is not fixed, it is unlikely that protests about other issues will gather significant support (enough to cause actual changes). As an illustration of this, people have low opinions of the oil and gas industry but stay silent because things like fracking do, after all, create jobs: http://www.gallup.com/poll/149216/Americans-Rate-Computer-Industry-Best-Federal-Gov-Worst.aspx

And if unemployment is fixed, then people's attention will naturally flow towards the kind of problems pointed out by OWS even if there are no more public protests.

[-] -2 points by thestonemill (-93) 12 years ago

I would not really consider ows to even be a movement at this point

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

Everyone should reunify for a new movement then. My ideas don't seem to be much different except there will be direction and an agenda not just protesting.

[+] -4 points by thestonemill (-93) 12 years ago

It would be nice if that happened but it seems like the Country is severely divided and then you have about half of the population that pay zero taxes so, they do not really care

[-] 0 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 12 years ago

Plenty of people got a good dose of what organizing is all about, and will become the voices of things in the near future.

I always wondered about that, the whole no one speaks for the group thing. A great way to assure that nothing gets accomplished. A total disorganized mess, but a great experience nevertheless.

People had no problem following MLK. And he was quite effective.

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

And yet Occupy has succeeded at drowning out the tea party mantra of austerity to cut thedebt! We succeeded at getting More progressive pols to fight for the 99%. We got enough people aware to turn the tide of the right wing tea party extremists! Occupy has succeeded at spreading around the globe and influencing the treatment of working class all over, Occupy has succeeded at forming coalitions with several progressive groups.

Occupy managed to succeed at providing for the victims of Superstorm Sandy, Creating the medical debt Jubilee, promoting money out of politics, & many other efforts.

All in ONE year. We are growing stronger with each of these successes, If a single leader is the right direction it will happen. No need to worry. The criticisms by you & in the post ignore the reality of our successes.

More success is coming. Hang on it gets bumpy from here!

[-] 0 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

A leader cannot simply step out. I agree there has been a lot of good the protesting has done so far, but momentum seems to be waning. It is time to refresh the page so to speak, rally together. I'm working on many projects for a new direction and will have videos on here soon.

I am not going to say I should be the voice in front, because no one here has any idea who I am. So let me get to know all of you and show you I am dead serious about the success of occupy Wall Street and destroying the gap between the 1% and the 99%.

Strength in Unity, Power in Self

We the 99% will be heard and will overcome.

[-] -1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

So you agree that "there has been a lot of good the protesting has done"?

"but momentum is waning" So you want a new direction? And you appear to be campaigning for leadership.

I disagree. Momentum has not waned. Where do you see that waning.?

[-] 0 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

I'm not campaigning. I'm trying to inspire my fellow protestors. The momentum is waning if it wasnt then wall street would be packed with protestors and we'd be seeing reports of the protesting in other cities on national news. Instead I haven't heard about the occupy movement since the last rape was reported in the park where the homeless people are protesting at.

We don't need to set up shanty towns in every city. We need to progress and move forwards. I believe in the movement as strongly as anyone does. I've been to the Portland and Wall Street protests. There is much more that can be done. Yes there has been good the protesting has done, but there is potential for more, so much more!

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

"since the last rape"? You sound anti Occupy.

I've heard much good news, especially recently with our good efforts w/ providing for Sandy victims, and the Debt Jubilee Telethon. There has been of good PR.

Certainly there would be more good press if the MSM wasn't part of the 1% plutocrat machine. But you gotta make an extra effort to find real news.

In any event we are less about creating shanty towns than creating a strong growing progressive movement fighting for change that benefits the 99%.

Sounds like you are stuck in the past initial efforts of Occupy. We HAVE progressed and moved forward. Seems we left you behind.

Maybe you were out of the country and missed it.

[-] 0 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

Then where is everyone rallied now? Where are the men and women of the 99% unified together? Because it seems everyone is split up across the United States.

We should have a rally at DC everyone all together at Capitol Hill. We are divided, lets organize a protest for one year from now, set an agenda for the protest and get as much support as possible so the protest is not only a victory, but a serious blow to the 1% and the gpverment that supports them. We should rally and protest, show not just the country, but the world that the Occupy movement is as strong in the USA as it is anywhere else in the world. Everyone I know speaks ill of the protestors saying its dead and yes months ago the last mention of the OWS was about a rape and the police cleaning out the park.

We should do this, a massive protest in DC. Well show Washington just how big a crowd 99% really is.

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

Sounds egotistical. I support big protests. I've been. to several that you appear to have missed since we were let back into Zuccotti Park here in NYC.

I'm sure there will be other big protests, We are doing much important work now. You are clearly just unaware.

Educate yourself, If you truly support us, you will be impressed and satisfied.

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

I am and have been. Currently I'm in Austin doing what I can, but all we have done is nothing compared to what we can achieve.

[-] 0 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

Perhaps the failure in Austin is a reflection of your weakness. Focus less on the isolated rape cases that the MSM jumps on and more on how you can help the people in need in Austin.

Homelessness, pollution, anti immigrant attacks are all potent issues you can address.

Good luck in all your good efforts. The home office has all their confidence in you, I assume.

Solidarity.

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

The failure in Austin isn't any one persons fault. It's also a reason why I believe the momentum of the movement is waning. It needs revival, another massive protest. I hope I haven't caused you to think less of me. You are well informed and a prime example of the individual we all need to be like. I hope we can be friends.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Sounds like what you need to do most - is be the sharer of information - articles documentaries petitions to your local area - be the outreach education person - forward good stuff to people you are in contact with to your online group if you have one - and ask that they also share the information that you just gave them - forward it on e-mail or twitter or facebook etc. You are in Austin Texas and you have conservative issues in Texas that you know about and can best address in ways that will be positive to those you talk to. Try to get others you know down there to help you in this.

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

Perhaps you can start with a large protest within Texas. What issues are most hurtful to the 99% in Texas. Form a connection with other Occupies in Texas. (Dallas, Fort Worth). See what they're doing. Maybe you will see value in it. Maybe their work will apply to Austins 99%.

Grow the movement within Austin. Use Social media. Find an issue that Austin cares about. You have a music festival! Perhaps something to help musicians, or school music classes.

There is so much that must be done right where you are. Be an example to the rest of us. Then A massive protest in DC will have more meaning.

Good luck. Friend See ya in DC

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

A bigger rally in DC would have more impact. I'll continue working on a large protest, but we should plan for a huge event in DC

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

And what will the agenda (goal, issue?) be. You didnt plan this one far in advance as you recommended the DC protest should be.

Very spontaneous huh? Do you have a lot of people involved with the Austin Occupy?. Any contact with other progressive groups? Unions? Anti war groups? Coalition building is important right? "Strength in Unity" Right?

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

Oh I haven't seen anything on the Austin protest. When is it scheduled for?

[-] 0 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

I'm still planning it out. I will have a date later this week. I want to aim for after school is out for students to have more open schedules. Plus the shopping season will have more impact for a protest to big business and the commercial season.

[-] 0 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

Sure. No prob. I'll get right on it.

You have no interest in seeing all the efforts being made around the country and applying that to helping the 99% in Austin?

[-] 1 points by The1Voice (18) 12 years ago

I do, but strategically a protest at a nations capital over a state capital seems better. I'm working on an Austin protest, but wanted to start work on a bigger protest.