Occupy Wallstreet vs Middle East protests

11/06/2011 03:42:03 AM · #251

Originally posted by o2bskating:

with this many pissed off people, and no real leader, all it would take is one smart terrorist to turn this into a blood bath.

I like this comment

11/06/2011 03:43:04 AM · #252

Originally posted by Melethia:

I keep reading the title of this as "Occupy Walmart"....

Good idea and example of corporate greed!

11/06/2011 03:50:47 AM · #253

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Well, we can each have our philosophy. I choose to be heard through my actions. I don't need a protest for that.

What is the outcome? What have you achieved?

11/06/2011 03:54:44 AM · #254

I give up

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

11/06/2011 04:17:11 PM · #255

Originally posted by MargaretN:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Well, we can each have our philosophy. I choose to be heard through my actions. I don't need a protest for that.

What is the outcome? What have you achieved?

Of course there is nothing I can say "THAT was me!" because I am one small part of a larger picture. But if you take Kant's approach and multiply my actions, good and bad, by millions, if any of those results come to pass, I played my part.

Still, on a local level I spend my energy making sure the homeless have food, shelter and a place to come in from the cold. Environmentally I refuse to buy a vehicle that isn't fuel efficient. On a corporate level I take pleasure in sticking it to the bully even if that means I don't have cable (which I miss when sports are on). Those are just small examples of actions I think will ultimately go further than me sitting in a park.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

11/06/2011 04:27:34 PM · #256

looking for Crazed Psycho/sociopath to run the resistance movement!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

11/06/2011 06:07:04 PM · #257

Originally posted by Spork99:

I'm slightly more Liberal and Anarchist than GeneralE

Impressive -- I didn't think it could be done (here) ... ;-)

Originally posted by o2bskating:

looking for Crazed Psycho/sociopath to run the resistance movement!

You rang?

Message edited by author 2011-11-06 18:07:40.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/06/2011 06:16:27 PM · #258

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by Spork99:

I'm slightly more Liberal and Anarchist than GeneralE

Impressive -- I didn't think it could be done (here) ... ;-)

Originally posted by o2bskating:
looking for Crazed Psycho/sociopath to run the resistance movement!

You rang?

hahahaha ding baby!

Judith Polakoff

Nikon D7000

11/07/2011 12:18:11 AM · #259

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by MargaretN:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Well, we can each have our philosophy. I choose to be heard through my actions. I don't need a protest for that.

What is the outcome? What have you achieved?

Of course there is nothing I can say "THAT was me!" because I am one small part of a larger picture. But if you take Kant's approach and multiply my actions, good and bad, by millions, if any of those results come to pass, I played my part.

Still, on a local level I spend my energy making sure the homeless have food, shelter and a place to come in from the cold. Environmentally I refuse to buy a vehicle that isn't fuel efficient. On a corporate level I take pleasure in sticking it to the bully even if that means I don't have cable (which I miss when sports are on). Those are just small examples of actions I think will ultimately go further than me sitting in a park.

All very laudable actions, and acting responsibly individually is always a good thing. But I think the reason political movements (people acting collectively) are sometimes valuable and necessary is because it's the only way or a more efficient way to address the critical problems faced by society and achieve change, as in the case, for example, where you've got robber barons amassing an ever greater share of the wealth and subverting our democratic institutions. I think that Occupy Wall Street, if nothing else to this point, has at least focused our attention on the most relevant and important issues. Whether positive change can be achieved through the OWS movement is an open question.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

11/07/2011 12:52:55 AM · #260

Agreed Judith. I guess I question whether the activity has "focused our attention" when the declaration you posted had multiple dozens of widely ranging issues from animal cruelty to college tuition to alternative energy. That doesn't sound focused at all. When the media covers the protest, is the emphasis on the evils of the robber barrons or is the focus on a bunch of people camping in the park?

Google news headlines:

Occupy Wall Street dogs Bloomberg‎
Occupy Wall Street 'injure elderly woman at conservative dinner'‎
Thumbs down for Occupy, Tea Party in new nationwide poll‎
What Does Occupy Wall Street Mean for Marketers?‎
Reporter Survives Near-Death Experience: A Night at Occupy Wall Street‎

I was hardly cherry picking there.

I'll give them props when I see some change. In the meantime I'll quietly go about my business.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

11/07/2011 01:22:28 AM · #261

Just right of center.

And here's my own interpretation of the chart...

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

11/07/2011 10:23:17 AM · #262

Okay, I finally had to take the test.
Much to my surprise, I'm over there with the Dalai Lama.
Oh yes, and with Paul, too.

Maybe it's the Left Coast influence, but then, what's the excuse for the Dalai Lama?

11/07/2011 10:29:06 AM · #263

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

google is one of those big corporations, do you seriously think they are going to let any article on the internet that hurts them, no they are only going to print the things they want you to see. and if you don't know that you should re evaluate who you call stupid.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

11/07/2011 10:42:26 AM · #264

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Personally, I never knew so many people were pissed off about the same things that have pissed me off for years. The dialog has always been about Republican vs. Democrat or Liberal vs. Conservative etc. So, if nothing else, they've made people aware that they're not alone.

Now if OWS turns into the Dem equivalent of the Tea Party (i.e. they get co-opted into the party) I'm done, they can go suck eggs. As long as they continue to be against the corporate control of and influence over the Federal government I'm on board.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

11/07/2011 10:48:40 AM · #265

Originally posted by o2bskating:

Hehe. If this was the case, how are you hearing about OWS? The news networks are also Big Corporations. Newspapers? Big corporations. Time for you to up the meds honey. The paranoia is setting in.

I find it sorta funny that the left wing is complaining about the media, because that's the exact same complaint the Tea Party has. The media can't catch a break.

Message edited by author 2011-11-07 10:52:15.

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

11/07/2011 10:53:25 AM · #266

my meds are just fine thank you

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

11/07/2011 10:59:58 AM · #267

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by o2bskating:

google is one of those big corporations, do you seriously think they are going to let any article on the internet that hurts them, no they are only going to print the things they want you to see. and if you don't know that you should re evaluate who you call stupid.

Hehe. If this was the case, how are you hearing about OWS? The news networks are also Big Corporations. Newspapers? Big corporations. Time for you to up the meds honey. The paranoia is setting in.

I find it sorta funny that the left wing is complaining about the media, because that's the exact same complaint the Tea Party has. The media can't catch a break.

I think everyone complains about the media because the media is in it purely for ratings. There are some very polarized outlets (like Fox & CNN & MSNBC) who will only report one side. The media used to be about "news coverage", what ever that happened to be, it was reported as it was. Now depending on which network you watch, you're only going to see what they want you to see.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

11/07/2011 12:29:31 PM · #268

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I find it sorta funny that the left wing is complaining about the media, because that's the exact same complaint the Tea Party has. The media can't catch a break.

Why should they? They're part of the problem. They choose what stories to promote (sensationalize) and what to bury or ignore based on the decisions of their corporate masters. Once upon a time, papers were independent and not just mouthpieces for the interests of their corporate leash holders. It's easy for them to ignore people like you who do good, keeping a low profile but when a few hundred or thousand people are shouting in the streets, it's harder to stick your head in the sand and hope they'll go away.

It's better for the bottom line to carry on about some slut's 72 day mockery of marriage than it is to do real journalism.

Judith Polakoff

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/07/2011 01:24:58 PM · #269

Originally posted by Spork99:

I agree completely with your first statement. I'd say the OWS movement has given people hope for some real push-back against the reactionary policies and discourse that have dominated our politics for at least a decade, with an analysis that is finally examining the correct root causes of our problems. I'm not saying all the problems/solutions have been perfectly articulated, but at least we're now moving in the right direction.

As for the Dems co-opting OWS, I have a hard time imagining how that could happen. A large number of Democrats have themselves been co-opted by corporate interests. Many Dems may still be somewhat progressive with respect to some social issues, but on the economic issues and foreign policy far too many of them are hopeless. Therefore, I don't think they will want anything to do with OWS.

Judith Polakoff

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/07/2011 01:31:44 PM · #270

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Just right of center.

And here's my own interpretation of the chart...

It's difficult to determine whether your chart excludes Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama from your balanced and reasonable circle, but it appears to. Do you consider those three figures extreme and unbalanced?

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

11/07/2011 02:07:49 PM · #271

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

When the media covers the protest, is the emphasis on the evils of the robber barrons or is the focus on a bunch of people camping in the park?

Google news headlines:

Occupy Wall Street dogs Bloomberg‎
Occupy Wall Street 'injure elderly woman at conservative dinner'‎
Thumbs down for Occupy, Tea Party in new nationwide poll‎
What Does Occupy Wall Street Mean for Marketers?‎
Reporter Survives Near-Death Experience: A Night at Occupy Wall Street‎

These are some classic headlines, and well worth reading the full stories.

My favorites are the second and last headlines. An elderly lady was knocked over in a crowd when a group of attendees tried to push through a crowd of OWS protesters blocking the main entrance of a conservative rally. If it was my mom I would be pissed, but is this international news? Reported in the Daily Telegraph, a British news paper, based solely on a blog posting by a conservative website, with no personal interaction with anyone who was involved in the situation. Is this news? Is this reporting? Are newspapers now merely vehicles to publish postings on the internet with no attempt to verify and give context to a story? Seems so. As long as the story can be shaped to serve your political views.

And the last one 'near death' indeed. The Post, after seven weeks of dismissal and invective, finally sent someone down to the protest, and shockingly, it seems it was even worse than they though. Their reporter spent the night at the OWS camp and survived! I do hope someone puts this work up for a Pulitzer prize! Despite being surrounded by madness and mayhem, druggies and rapist, anarchists and animal rights nuts she spoke with some of these fiends and reported that they were all crazy "animals" who should be swept out of "Zoo-cotti Park". Fair and balanced indeed.

There is also the reports of violence in Oakland. Those reports are everywhere, how the protest is becoming increasingly violent. I always though the word violence was separated from property crime, it certainly is in criminal codes. But here in Oakland if some idiot smashes a window, and a cop hits him with a baton while arresting him, the movement is becoming violent. I always though Gandhian protest was non violent, but it seems if you are hit with a beanbag gun, you are becoming violent. I am quite certain there have been some acts of violence against the police by some of the idiots who always spring up at any event, be it a parade for a championship team, or a protest march. Any violence is laid at the feet of the protest, and when they blame the hockey team for the riots in Vancouver last year (or any sports team for the violence that invevitably breaks out after winning the big game) then that will make it fair and balanced.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

11/07/2011 02:09:08 PM · #272

Originally posted by Judith Polakoff:

Well, I realized I should make my "inner circle" into a square - or maybe a misshapen polygon, depending on who I decide to let in. ;-)

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

11/07/2011 02:13:57 PM · #273

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Originally posted by Judith Polakoff:
It's difficult to determine whether your chart excludes Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama from your balanced and reasonable circle, but it appears to. Do you consider those three figures extreme and unbalanced?

Well, I realized I should make my "inner circle" into a square - or maybe a misshapen polygon, depending on who I decide to let in. ;-)

Well, I'm clearly extremely unbalanced. ;P

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II