Forum Post: We don't see THE POWER WE HAVE IN OUR HANDS to transform the U.S.- Next month, we could be on our way to the society we dream of
Posted 11 years ago on Dec. 16, 2012, 10:13 a.m. EST by therising
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A POWERFUL AND TRANFORMATIVE COMBINATION (a different website for each action with general audience in mind could help us multiply the impact of non violent direct actions exponentially).
I'm aware it sounds like something we've heard a thousand times now, but for some reason the significance of this just kicked in: Someone just said on this forum that the "Internet is the enemy of the elite." That is no small thing. In fact, it may be the most important fact for us to wake up to right now.
I think we have a pretty good idea of the "destination" (a system prioritizing human needs over corporate needs) but we don't see a "road" or "path" to that destination. People like me sometimes lament that the 1% has us Americans under thorough spell with the mainstream media, full of twisted perspectives on events of the day and mind numbing consumerism and nihilism. But, to tell you the truth, it finally just really clicked for me that the Internet IS the road or path. If we realize that, it will be the checkmate to the 1%'s owned media force.
I don't think we've fully realized the power of this tool. We don't yet truly see that this road can take us to our destination. We as a people have been so mesmerized by the use of the Internet for entertainment, commerce, pleasure, etc. that we haven't fully comprehended that we hold the keys to our nation's jail cell in our own hands.
And here's the key for me: *In order for the true picture of of the power of the Internet for social/political/economic/environmental transformation to become realized, more and more people will need to seek out / discover the information about what's really going on and what's possible. Not to oversimplify it, but for some, merely coming in contact with the truth about things is personally transformational and motivating. But how will we get more than the choir / usual suspects to visit the kinds of Internet sites that will give them that dose of reality and motivation?
*I firmly believe the answer is nonviolent direct action.*
In addition to achieving the direct result of pushing the corporation, agency or political body to change their behavior by putting serious and alarming injustice out into the light, direct action also raises awareness across our neighborhood, town, state or nation depending somewhat upon the number of people in the crowd, the creativity of the action and the magnitude of the problem being exposed. And that attention attracts some people to search for information. And they eventually end up on sites that really give them the big picture and remove the gauze of materialism and fake news from their eyes
I believe, then, that we have completely underestimated our ability to awaken thousands of millions of people. Many of us have felt like that awareness has a limit. It does not. The only limit on our ability to awaken millions and millions of people is the extent to which we are willing to participate in direct action. Our signs and chants out their in the streets don't have to say everything. But our presence and the creativity of our action gets people to seek information and then they land on the sites that really blow them away. First they're intrigued by the direct action (always nonviolent) and then they get blown away by the details that are being revealed to them for the first time in a new context outside the mainstream media.
It is of course also true that the mainstream media mostly can't ignore the larger and more creative protests especially when they expose something exceedingly dramatic and verifiable. In those instances, we -- the millions who have stepped outside the lies of corporate media - may have the biggest opportunity to awaken thousands and millions....because our information is coming right out of the box that they're familiar with. Of course corporate owned media twists things, but you saw on the Brooklyn Bridge last fall that the worldwide media picked up the story and so did national media because it was so dramatic...the number of people involved who were willing to be arrested, the iconic venue and the peacefulness of the protest all combined to create a compelling and powerful spectacle that simply couldn't be ignored. In this way, at times, we can turn the mainstream media into a tool as well.
It might be helpful if more of our signs, banners and giant light shows at larger events had key websites on almost all of them in very large clear letters so the TV cameras would catch them now and then no matter how hard they try not to.
A banner hanging off a building or bridge that's iconic with a clever and compelling slogan and a website paired with a massive nonviolent protest below it with similar signs and banners could result in the ultimate of coups: the mainstream media advertising for alternative media. I know it sounds "simple" but if the mainstream news cameras actually catch the website address (which will happen now and then) they will literally be advertising for alternative media! How cool would that be :)?
I think it's important that the website displayed be one that's approachable for NON-activists. If this revolution is going to happen, it needs to motivate Americans of all ages, races, religions, income levels etc. .
I'm not saying to dumb down the message but I am suggesting it be written with the intended audience in mind. So, there would be a special website for the public for each action. There might also be a "hub" public website which contains short descriptions and links to each.
If the housewife in Peoria, the truck driver passing through Houston, the teacher in upstate New York and the factory worker in Los Angeles all get motivated by the site, then we've succeeded in this particular aspect.
The point is, we have the power in our hands to essentially change the channel. We have the tool (the web) and we have the means (direct nonviolent action) to direct major state, national and international attention to our information on the web.
This is powerful stuff that King and Gandhi would have relished. Once we wake up to the power of this combination of the web and nonviolent direct action, we can begin to spread MUCH MUCH further the knowledge about what's really going on and what's really possible.
That's another amazing combination right there: the dose of reality and the dose of vision. A clear vision of what's possible is one of the most motivating forces on the planet, especially when it is paired with the truth of the present situation and means to transform it.
As a wise person once said, *There's nothing so powerful as an idea whose time has come."
The idea is here. And its time has come. And, best of all, we have the mechanism by which to set the wheels in motion. Let's do this.
For more info and good news on what's possible: please visit post called "CHANGING THE NARRATIVE: Another World is Possible" at this link: http://www.occupywallst.org/forum/a-message-to-all-the-well-meaning-democrats-and-re/
Have mentioned this before, but worth saying again.
Remember 'Radio Free Europe' during the Cold War? Perhaps we need Radio Free USA, and Radio Free World. With the internet being the enemy of the elite, it is also a target. Old technology still has merit.
Sounds good to me man. How would that get going????? I have often thought during the past year how great that would be to be able to turn on radio (or Internet radio) and hear WOCC 88.7 - Occupy Radio."
Good idea. The internet can facilitate that.
It's time to realize the power is in our hands. It really is.
A tool for security adaptation and protection from government, the power of our constitution through Article V.
When I say the power is in our hands, I mean it this way: http://occupywallst.org/forum/we-dont-see-the-power-we-have-in-our-hands-to-tran/ ------- AND ------ http://occupywallst.org/forum/a-message-to-all-the-well-meaning-democrats-and-re/
The power to initiate political action with mass protest. Okay, that is proper, but it needs to have a legal process that follows through, or, officials have no directive that is a duty.
Ahh. Now we're getting somewhere. So, for example, I think we should do the 8 things listed in the middle of this page http://occupywallst.org/forum/a-message-to-all-the-well-meaning-democrats-and-re/ using the methods described below the list. So, the directive would be the passed bills signed into law. Bingo.
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Can't we use protest to change the national dialogue, the countries direction, the politicians priorities. Isn't that how you force change.
Art V is some unworkable fantasy that is going no where. We've already begun making slow progress with the street protests of OWS.
Right?
If the national state of mind were natural, and its not. It's highly manipulated. Meaning it is very easy to alter mass perceptions.
Forcing change is ALMOST an oxymoron, particularly in this situation. Force can cause fear, those who we might force, could easily use our "forcing change" to cause fear.
Article V is the most important clause of the constitution because it empowers the people through their states to control the federal government.
Education with truths is what causes people to create change. Article V is the right to alter or abolish. Isn't that what "street protests of OWS" are intending?
No comparison. Street protests are tried & true, Time tested. Art V is a fantasy that has never & will never work.
Street protests with no legal process proposed are tried and true? Back that up with a link or be wrong.
"or be wrong"? LOL. Do you determine right and wrong.?
I offer the civil rights movement, the union rights protests, Womens suffrage, Indian independence, And on and on, you need a link for that?
Or have you heard of that? And finally I submit our 1 yr ld OWS effort is yielding slow progress, and as suchh WILL be successful.
Art V is a right wing scheme, never used before, and not workable. I don't need a link to know that. Do you.?
But you don't want to assure rights are respected by citizens enforcing the constitution through Article V. Riiiiiiiiigggggghhhhhhhhht
VQkag2 wrote: "I offer the civil rights movement"
Your plans with Art V are un workable. There is no support. Street protests have & WILL work again.
When did I say I "don't want to assure rights are respected by citizens enforcing the constitution through Article V."?
Are you imagining things? Or is that just you just blatantly lying again.
Constitutional intent is unworkable? Maybe for you :-) (probably).
Doing what you accuse others of is becoming a pattern.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/we-have-the-power-to-turn-this-world-around-this-o/#comment-902188
Your proposal regarding Art V is un workable.
"Constitutional intent is unworkable?" I didn't say that. That is a nonsensicle comment. I wouldn't say it.
It is YOUR suggestions regarding Art V that is un workable. Mainly cause you ain't doing anything except babbling incoherently and not growing support.
LOL
Explain who defines constitutional intent if what I describe is unworkable.
I define how the people define it and do so within legal process in their states just like Article V specifies.
Tactics need legal process to continue after the protest.
VQkag2 wrote: You don't think a continuation, & expansion of the successful tactics Occupy has used is the better way to go.
ows has been using their constitutional rights. The best thing to do is FIRST protect and secure those rights to protest.
And the people defined constitutional tenants are being followed/supported as the people define them?
You don't think a continuation, & expansion of the successful tactics Occupy has used is the better way to go.
The nwo love it when you call the constitution a fantasy.
VQkag2 wrote: "But you ain't any where near gettin it done. You couldn't last year and nothing is happening this year.
It's a fantasy, sorry."
It's the law of the land and the people will preserve it despite you and your efforts.
But you ain't any where near gettin it done. You couldn't last year and nothing is happening this year.
It's a fantasy, sorry.
DKAtoday wrote: "And the people defined constitutional tenants are being followed/supported as the people define them?"
Curious question, because "we the people" are followed and supported largely. On the other hand the federal government has defied constitutional intents for 100 years. In states, there is a mix of those that follow the letter of the law, and then others that run with policy.
To question policy and federal civil rights, you need a court. Where ya' gonna find one of those? States constitutions are in better reach and sometimes, probabnly less so recently, do observe constitutional rights.
This is not a black and white world. We have to realize some government employees are okay. It's our responsibility to come up with a test that will show their constitutionality. That's what the exercise in defining constitutional intent is all about.
If the people do that and do it right, good government employees can jump on board without hesitation. The bad ones run.
We are living in momentous times. Corporations and the super rich are speeding up their systematic wealth power grab and at the same time 99% of humanity is waking up to the fact that they're all in pretty much the same boat with economic and environmental destruction --- and the good part is that the people can triumph in this.... Because if we unite, 99% can triumph with the Internet and nonviolent direct action.
One the information penetrates the public consciousness on a wider scale using smaller actions, we'll have the support for larger actions and a virtuous cycle will ensue :)
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Excellent point.
On a winters day.
Now there's a blast from the past :)
This is an excellent blueprint for activism. You never disappoint.
Solidarity.
It's all about what kind of agreement is made. When an agreement is universal and at the pinnacle of authority UNDER principle such as that carried by the US constitution, its different and hugely relevant. Accordingly, that is the power of this tool.
By our single mindedness and refusal to use it for anything else, we distinguish our agreement.
therising wrote:
"But, to tell you the truth, it finally just really clicked for me that the Internet IS the road or path. ..............I don't think we've fully realized the power of this tool. We don't yet truly see that this road can take us to our destination............... we haven't fully comprehended that we hold the keys to our nation's jail cell in our own hands."
Not sure what you're getting at?
It's about our best Instincts controlling us and being viewed as the only worthy discussion because it actually embodies constitutional intent. Once we can understand it well, and agree upon it, our dominance at Article V is assured because
ARTICLE V
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Lincoln, 1859 -"the people are the rightful masters of the congress and the courts."
That is what I'm getting at. The process I'm describing is what Lincoln refers to. After a number of Americans realize this, and promote, encourage, invite, and demand that other citizens participate as free people, it will become obvious that in each state any who seek to secure the future must petition their local areas, and assemble in earnest demand for legislators to act in defense of the constitution by organizing with other states to enforce the constitution.
Then, there is this. But constitutional defense has been turned into killing people of other nations and our warriors are mute on this, but it seems to point properly to Article V as well.
http://algoxy.com/ows/soldiersinquiry.html
ON EDIT:Here's that link to the 2 women against Article V. Clearly, its against their instincts to try and pursue their positions any further. Now perhaps the deeply human and compelling instinctual structures involved are appreciated. Because of instincts they can show no accountability to reason.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/gunself-control/#comment-896428
Can you back up a minute and explain this in lay terms from a 30,000 foot view as if you're explaining it to a person who's never graduated from high school? I need to get the big picture here in simple terms.
I love ya brother, I do, but if we can't stop this in a single State?.
"ALEC has become particularly heinous in Michigan,
Raising taxes on the elderly was only the first shot.
http://www.commoncause.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=8073497
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/28/1137220/-Hightower-on-ALEC-in-Michigan-Dictatorial-Coup-of-Emergency-Managers-PA4-Koch-Snyder-Mackinac
http://www.eclectablog.com/2012/08/progress-michigan-reveals-the-pervasive-corrosive-influence-of-alec-in-michigan.html
http://bloggingformichigan.com/2012/10/02/hightower-on-emalec-in-michigan-dictatorial-coup-of-emergency-managers-pa4-koch-snyder-mackinac/
http://tv.msnbc.com/2012/12/12/koch-alec-pushed-michigan-right-to-work-laws/
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=9340
http://www.alec.org/initiatives/prison-overcrowding/prison-overcrowding-michigan/
http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/Michigan
https://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/12/13-11
http://wearethepeoplemichigan.com/2011/07/28/the-truth-about-alec/
You can discount Michigan if you like, but a dictator will be coming to your own State as soon as ALEC can get there.
Take note too, of the many ties to the Koch's."
We will never stop it in a Nation.
Man, those fuckers piss me off as much as they do you, but theyre not unbeatable. Not by a longshot. We're going to win this shooz. Mark my words. As King said, "moral arc of the universe bends towards justice."
I want to understand better what youre saying here. ALEC fucking sucks like cancer. I agree. But you said "We will never stop it in a nation." Curious about what you mean. What are the alternatives you have in mind?
If we can not stop ALEC in a single State, how can we expect stop it in an entire nation?
Few people even know who and what ALEC is.
Shooz, we are going to win this. For ever 1 of them, there are 99 of us. We have direct action. We have the web and social media. We have Gene Sharp, Gandhi and King's tactics and we're only 2 minutes into a 2 hour game. And we're already kicking ass.
We're going to win this. Last fall, the polls of major news outlets showed that 40 - 50% of the American public supported Occupy Wall Street. A silent majority awaiting a vision of what's possible and a means to get there. We haven't given them those two things yet in a convincing, comprehensive and clear way so let's get to work on that part. Once we do, direct action will call attention to it. And then there's no stopping us.
We ain't stopping for nothin'. My daddy bred me stubborn, you see? And somebody bred you stubborn too. And there are millions of other stubborn pissed off people out there who once they get the scent of freedom from corporate rule won't stop for nothin'. All they need is the scent.
Well, people didn't know who Bull Connor was for a long time but they sure do now :). I think the problem is (and I feel the same frustration you do) that we are just in the very early stages of a 10 year awakening / rebellion / revolution.
A problem is that many people won't bother with the movement because they are ignorant, comfortable, busy, etc.
They need another reason besides what we're here for. Something needs to lure and hook these people. One thing everyone has in common is that we are all consumers, and it's our need to consume products that fuels our enemy.
That's where the 99er Conglomerate comes into play.
That's why the Conglomerate needs to "become the most predatory corporation there ever will be.", as I said before.
People reject this idea only because the world doesn't need another corporation, but how about one with the intent of consuming capitalism in the name of Occupy?
It would allow us to blame non-supporters as they support non-subsidiaries. People will see the 99% symbol on storefronts, signs and ads. Average people mentioned above will not be able to remain ignorant and will have to cognitively support the movement.
But does it have heart. ? I think people are drawn to something with a heartfelt message.
I don't see why not. Sounds like a good slogan: the corporation with a heart.
Hey, there's another benefit I didn't think of before: the conglomerate doesn't just build a community, it retains supporters where they might otherwise come and go.
You have me thinking. . .
Glad to hear! If you want the link back to the conglomerate topic, let me know.
Glad to hear! If you want the link back to the conglomerate topic, let me know.
Yes, please send link. How would you explain this though in layman's terms? How would you explain it to your flight attendant, bartender, auto mechanic, hardware store manager or local farmer?
There seemed to be a bug preventing me from typing. Seems like a one-off glitch.
To answer your question, it's a corporation made up of smaller companies (subsidiaries) who are supporters of the movement. Anyone can start a business and call it a subsidiary of the conglomerate. Any existing business can be a subsidiary.
There are many benefits to subsidiaries, like a solid customer base of occupiers.
A long term goal is to strategically weaken and consume other corporations which do harm to people, nature and the economy.
You'll have to follow the link to learn what else and how though!
http://occupywallst.org/forum/beat-them-at-their-own-game-the-99er-conglomerate/
Strike the source of power: move your banking to publicly owned credit unions.
It’s the Interest, Stupid!
Why Bankers Rule the World
Ellen Brown November 3, 2012
http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/itstheinterest.php
In the 2012 edition of Occupy Money released last week, Professor Margrit Kennedy writes that a stunning 35% to 40% of everything we buy goes to interest. This interest goes to bankers, financiers, and bondholders, who take a 35% to 40% cut of our GDP. That helps explain how wealth is systematically transferred from Main Street to Wall Street. The rich get progressively richer at the expense of the poor, not just because of “Wall Street greed” but because of the inexorable mathematics of our private banking system.
This hidden tribute to the banks will come as a surprise to most people, who think that if they pay their credit card bills on time and don’t take out loans, they aren’t paying interest. This, says Dr. Kennedy, is not true. Tradesmen, suppliers, wholesalers and retailers all along the chain of production rely on credit to pay their bills. They must pay for labor and materials before they have a product to sell and before the end buyer pays for the product 90 days later. Each supplier in the chain adds interest to its production costs, which are passed on to the ultimate consumer. Dr. Kennedy cites interest charges ranging from 12% for garbage collection, to 38% for drinking water, to 77% for rent in public housing in her native Germany.
Her figures are drawn from the research of economist Helmut Creutz, writing in German and interpreting Bundesbank publications. They apply to the expenditures of German households for everyday goods and services in 2006; but similar figures are seen in financial sector profits in the United States, where they composed a whopping 35% of U.S. business profits in 2006. That was five times the 7% made by the banking sector in 1980. Bank assets, financial profits, interest, and debt have all been growing exponentially.
Thanks for the info.
If you want to see a fuller picture: http://qr.ae/123WP
Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.