Occupy Wall Street

[Reddit]

A woman has been raped in the Occupy Glasgow camp in George Square. The protesters have been told to pack up and leave.

I honestly think some of these protests are just getting out of control and need to stop.

I don't see how one person doing something horrible to one other person is the fault of every protester at the camp.

But I know that's not the only thing to happen. But the majority of the bad things happening during the protests aren't being done by protesters but people taking advantage of the cover provided by the protests. Thieves, muggers, rapists, vandalisers (today I learned this isn't a word), and so on. And the protesters themselves are the ones being targeted by violence from people outside of the protest. The protesters aren't going to do these bad things, because it makes them look bad and makes it harder for their message to get across.

The same exact things were happening during other major protests (in the U.S.) including a majority of the protests around the Civil Rights Movement (both for and against.)

 

[doesn't matter]

A lot of the European protests are targeted against the austerity measures that are reducing safety nets I believe. And also reigning in the banks and stuff like that.

Well yeah, but they want to have their cake and eat it too. All this time they've been living a life of fantasy, and now that someone has to foot the bill and sacrifices need to be made, they chuck a hissy fit. Stuff them.

OKAY. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I AM POSTING THIS. THANKS POKECOMMUNITY. I WISH I COULD SHOOT YOU RIGHT NOW.

I wholeheartedly agree with this movement, and I hope it gets larger than it already is and spreads. And may I add that this is not a anti-capitalism movement, Occupy Wall Street is pro-capitalism and pro-democracy. They are protesting policies that are not capitalist nor democratic. While also protesting policies that have failed time and time again.

An example of this is the fact that the government bailed out multiple banks and corporations (through policies that were passed by President Bush and enacted by President Obama.) Capitalism calls for business, banks, and corporations to fail if their own failed policies and investments put them in that situation. While Socialism calls for them to fail..wait lolwut?

People saying that these people are just jealous of the wealthy are exceedingly ignorant. This movement is protesting many things, and I shall list some of them for you:

• Government bailouts.
• Policies on Wall Street that have pulled our economy into a recession (and close to one multiple times) and is about to yet again.
• Money in politics. An example of this would be the fact that the oil industry collectively donated tens of millions of dollars to both John McCain and Barack Obama's campaigns to help influence their policies if they were to become president in favor of the oil companies.
• Poor being a death sentence (referencing health care and is the only socialist idea and policy advocated within this protest)
• Tax loopholes that are easily exploitable by the wealthy.
• Low taxes for the rich (generally speaking.)
• Politics being childish. Such as how Republicans and Democrats seem to be in a war for power and their objective is to screw the other party's policies.
• Politicians, instead of representing the people, represent the corporations who fund their campaign.
• Policies that encourage businesses to go out of the country.
• The pay gap between CEO's and the average worker. In the US 475:1. I would post a list comparing a list of countries together but I can't. THANKS POKECOMMUNITY

This list really does go on and on. This is not a socialist, communist, democrat, republican, rich, poor, liberal, or conservative movement. It is a movement of the people, who support policies that encourage growth, and who are pro-democracy and pro-capitalist. Corporations having power, any at all, is not a capitalist economy or a democratic government.

Maybe everyone has been ignoring you due to your username? I know I stopped reading there.

Seriously though, not anti-capitalist? Not socialist? Get out. Here's a photo blog of the Occupy Oakland protests. Have a look for yourself.

If you live under the poverty line, it doesn't matter if you are living in the United States or in Ghana. In fact, if you live under the poverty line in the US, "the richest country in the world", you are more likely to feel anger at the incredibly rich people, that 1% that owns more money than the other 99%- if that 1% of billionaires left the US, the country wouldn't be the richest one anymore.

What? There is relative poverty (compared to others) and there is absolute poverty (less than $1.25 a day). Americans may be relatively poor, but they're a hell of a lot better off than being poor in any third world country.

Anyway, the whole movement sucks. Not only isn't their any clearly defined leadership or goals, the protestors themselves are bunch of pathetic and hypocritical bums that just want an excuse to wank off and do nothing while acting like they are making a difference (man).

In addition, their proposed cure is worse than the disease. We got into this mess due to too much government intervention, and it seems the majority want EVEN MORE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION so they can pay for their poor decisions.

They are children. Drub abusing, lazy, dumb, and irresponsible children.

 

[lx_theo]

I'd like to point out...

Socialism isn't anymore evil than capitalism, as it is the same the other way around.

 

[Zet]

I don't see how one person doing something horrible to one other person is the fault of every protester at the camp.

But I know that's not the only thing to happen. But the majority of the bad things happening during the protests aren't being done by protesters but people taking advantage of the cover provided by the protests. Thieves, muggers, rapists, vandalisers (today I learned this isn't a word), and so on. And the protesters themselves are the ones being targeted by violence from people outside of the protest. The protesters aren't going to do these bad things, because it makes them look bad and makes it harder for their message to get across.

The same exact things were happening during other major protests (in the U.S.) including a majority of the protests around the Civil Rights Movement (both for and against.)

Oh sure, rape isn't a big deal so let's carry on like nothing happened.

They were told to pack up and leave to prevent more rape from happening. And saying the protesters haven't done anything but protest is just plain ignorance.

 

[doesn't matter]

I'd like to point out...

Socialism isn't anymore evil than capitalism, as it is the same the other way around.

Yes but socialism actually doesn't work, because eventually, you run out of other people's money (see: Europe).

 

[parallelzero]

Yes but socialism actually doesn't work, because eventually, you run out of other people's money (see: Europe).

And a minimal amount of the population getting the vast majority of the money works? Not really.

I honestly think a balance between capitalism and socialism needs to be hit in order to create the ideal society. A little something from column A, a little something from column B. It IS possible, but there are too many blind extremists in government parties everywhere for this to really happen.

 

[lx_theo]

Yes but socialism actually doesn't work, because eventually, you run out of other people's money (see: Europe).

And capitalism actually doesn't work, because it will always lead to monopolies without external regulation of capitalism.

And what parallelzero said is basically the idea I was leading into with that statement. Any "best" solution to any issue is a compromise of the two sides (this case: capitalism and socialism) that takes advantage of as many upsides as possible while eliminating as many downsides. While this may seem like it should be obvious, most people ignore it. Instead people want to jump to one or the other treating it like a ongoing war rather than what it is.

 

[Mario The World Champion]

And capitalism actually doesn't work, because it will always lead to monopolies without external regulation of capitalism.

And what parallelzero said is basically the idea I was leading into with that statement. Any "best" solution to any issue is a compromise of the two sides (this case: capitalism and socialism) that takes advantage of as many upsides as possible while eliminating as many downsides. While this may seem like it should be obvious, most people ignore it. Instead people want to jump to one or the other treating it like a ongoing war rather than what it is.

To some people, the word "compromise" is a dirty word that is left unsaid and not even thought of. Both sides most likely will not see eye to eye, even thought the scene all around them is crumbling, thus making everything worse. In their eyes, there is no middle ground.

 

[lx_theo]

To some people, the word "compromise" is a dirty word that is left unsaid and not even thought of. Both sides most likely will not see eye to eye, even thought the scene all around them is crumbling, thus making everything worse. In their eyes, there is no middle ground.

Which is sad in itself, because often the case is that people believe that the war that causes your mentioned crumbling is also the answer, even as it burns the buildings around them.

Its hard to see a bright future along that course.

 

[Mario The World Champion]

When people get influence and power, they over time forget that they were once members of the 99%. They could do something to help, but they want to stick with their "executive member" class, as I like to call it and don't want to talk with their opponents to make a difference.

Anyway, the whole movement sucks. Not only isn't their any clearly defined leadership or goals, the protestors themselves are bunch of pathetic and hypocritical bums that just want an excuse to wank off and do nothing while acting like they are making a difference (man).

In addition, their proposed cure is worse than the disease. We got into this mess due to too much government intervention, and it seems the majority want EVEN MORE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION so they can pay for their poor decisions.

They are children. Drub abusing, lazy, dumb, and irresponsible children.

Many of those "drug abusing, lazy, dumb, and irresponsible children" you mentioned are college graduates who have degrees, but cannot find any good paying jobs because of the economy. They have been saddled with trying to pay off their student loans that allowed them to attend college, but are having a hard time trying to deal with it. What would happen if you got a college degree and can work well in a high-paying job, but you can't find anything, no matter how hard you try, plus trying to pay off a student loan as well?

 

[doesn't matter]

And capitalism actually doesn't work, because it will always lead to monopolies without external regulation of capitalism.

And what parallelzero said is basically the idea I was leading into with that statement. Any "best" solution to any issue is a compromise of the two sides (this case: capitalism and socialism) that takes advantage of as many upsides as possible while eliminating as many downsides. While this may seem like it should be obvious, most people ignore it. Instead people want to jump to one or the other treating it like a ongoing war rather than what it is.

Actually, we have monopolies now, without capitalism, and they are supported by the state. It's government intervention that encourages and supports monopolies, which is exactly what the protesters want more of.

Capitalism does everything that socialism does, but better. Why would I compromise? Never mind that compromise would just lead us back to the situation we have today, because socialism gives government power over its citizens, and you can never have enough power.

When people get influence and power, they over time forget that they were once members of the 99%. They could do something to help, but they want to stick with their "executive member" class, as I like to call it and don't want to talk with their opponents to make a difference.


Many of those "drug abusing, lazy, dumb, and irresponsible children" you mentioned are college graduates who have degrees, but cannot find any good paying jobs because of the economy. They have been saddled with trying to pay off their student loans that allowed them to attend college, but are having a hard time trying to deal with it. What would happen if you got a college degree and can work well in a high-paying job, but you can't find anything, no matter how hard you try, plus trying to pay off a student loan as well?

No, they can't find good paying jobs because they did worthless degrees like liberal arts and women's studies. Rather than taking the responsibility of looking for a degree that was in demand, they took the easy route. Now, because of their lack of foresight, they are without jobs because no one needs them. Maybe if they did something useful, like a trade, they'd be busy working instead of being worthless on the streets and doing drugs. Hell, it's their own fault they took out the loan, and now they want you, the hard working taxpayer who actually contributes to society, to pay off their debts because they were irresponsible.

 

[TRIFORCE89]

No, they can't find good paying jobs because they did worthless degrees like liberal arts and women's studies. Rather than taking the responsibility of looking for a degree that was in demand, they took the easy route. Now, because of their lack of foresight, they are without jobs because no one needs them.

I do agree with this a lot.

But, with that said... you should be able make a decent living and actually live without having to be a business, economic, law, medical, or tech major. Not be rich, but just have enough to be secure.

At the same time, there is some personal responsibility to be had. Never mind the liberal arts... but the fine arts? I love the arts, but most likely you will not be able to make a living at it. And you shouldn't be surprised if you don't. If I had gone that route, I would have made that more of an "on the side" kind of thing.

 

[Ivysaur]

No, they can't find good paying jobs because they did worthless degrees like liberal arts and women's studies. Rather than taking the responsibility of looking for a degree that was in demand, they took the easy route. Now, because of their lack of foresight, they are without jobs because no one needs them. Maybe if they did something useful, like a trade, they'd be busy working instead of being worthless on the streets and doing drugs. Hell, it's their own fault they took out the loan, and now they want you, the hard working taxpayer who actually contributes to society, to pay off their debts because they were irresponsible.

I'm so glad you bothered to ask every single one of them, including the doctors and teachers that are in the demonstrations here in Spain. And the old people, over 40- I'm sure they also are dumb children who do drugs- hell, even I have assisted to several demonstrations in that movement! I guess I should stop doing drugs.

In addition, their proposed cure is worse than the disease. We got into this mess due to too much government intervention, and it seems the majority want EVEN MORE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION so they can pay for their poor decisions.

I thought the crisis was caused by American banks selling derivatives based on unpayable mortgages that were given AAA status by risk measurement companies such as Moody's and Standard and Poor's. They used those worthless papers as a guarantee to ask for loans to other banks. When the mortgage bussiness went down once people happened to be unable to pay for them, the banks discovered that all the money guaranteed by these had disappeared. Then, the insurance companies realized that they had to pay billions to make up for those losses, which caused them to fall behind (hello Lehman Brothers?). And finally, banks became paranoid of lending money to anybody, including other banks and even countries, so the credit dried down, causing the capitalistic world, based on constant debt, to implode.

In short, the problem here was complete deregulation that allowed banks to play with mortgages and worthless derivatives as if they were secure investments. The crisis was created by private banks, not by Governments.

Capitalism does everything that socialism does, but better. Why would I compromise?

That's the problem in current world politics (and the problem that is destroying the US's political system): democracy was based in making compromises between the views of all citizens, even if you think they are wrong. Finding a middleground everybody is happy with.

But, if your motto is: "I'm absolutely right, whoever doesn't agree with me is absolutely wrong", the result is extremism and war between both sides- "if I don't win, the other side is going to make sure I don't get absolutely anything out of them, so I have to win by all means".

 

[FreakyLocz14]

Liberal arts degrees aren't worthless. That's a common degree that teachers get before their credential programs.

 

[Guest123_x1]

I thought the crisis was caused by American banks selling derivatives based on unpayable mortgages that were given AAA status by risk measurement companies such as Moody's and Standard and Poor's. They used those worthless papers as a guarantee to ask for loans to other banks. When the mortgage bussiness went down once people happened to be unable to pay for them, the banks discovered that all the money guaranteed by these had disappeared

Policies of the United States federal goverment, in conjunction with the Federal Reserve System, and agencies such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allowed this nonsense to take place. The federal government itself-along with Congress for writing the laws easing consumer access to mortgages and encouraging sub-prime lending, the Federal Reserve System for printing boatloads of money for the banks to loan out at unrealistically low interest, and Fannie and Freddie for guaranteeing those risky sub-prime mortgages, thereby burdened with the consequences once those mortgages failed. Yes, private companies are to blame in this also-such as those mortgage lenders offering stuff like JUMBO mortgages up to $1 million in which one can borrow up to 110% of the cost of the house, with no documentation needed (on the part of the borrower) whatsoever!

 

[lx_theo]

Actually, we have monopolies now, without capitalism, and they are supported by the state. It's government intervention that encourages and supports monopolies, which is exactly what the protesters want more of.

Capitalism does everything that socialism does, but better. Why would I compromise? Never mind that compromise would just lead us back to the situation we have today, because socialism gives government power over its citizens, and you can never have enough power.

See, this is the sort of ignorance that is killing America.

Monopolies are only bad because private ones are solely their for profit. They screw over people everywhere because they can. Gov. based ones have a purposed to serve the people, or are regulated by the Gov. enough that they can't screw over people when ever. Capitalism is just as evil as socialism. One being more beneficial to you doesn't make it better. So get over yourself.

 

[Zet]

So a news reporter got threatened by one of the protesters, it's an interesting story.

A protester, angered by the presence of a news crew inside Zuccotti Park Friday morning, threatened to stab Fox 5 News reporter John Huddy. Police arrested the protester.

What has been an otherwise violence-free period during his six weeks covering the Occupy Wall Street movement, took a turn for John Huddy. He explained what happened during Good Day New York.

"This is somebody I've come across several times for the last few days," Huddy said. "He threatened to stab me in the throat with a pen. He ripped the mic out of my hand."

"I have a meeting with Bloomberg," said the incoherent protester.

Cops arrested the man -- identified as Dustin Taylor, 34, of Millerburg, Ohio -- and charged him with grand larceny, menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, and harassment, the NYPD said.

Huddy had gone into the park to find out what protesters were doing to fight the significant drop in temperatures.

"I don't think this person represents the whole," Huddy said. "One of the media representatives asked me not to categorize this one person as representative of the whole group. Most of the folks I've dealt with have been accomodating. There is an element here that we've seen that has caused problems. Overall, it has been peaceful in the park."

Read more: https://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/fox-5-news-reporter-assaulted-at-ows-20111028-KC#ixzz1cPmDjUVp

source

OWS is just getting worse and worse by the minute. First there were arrests, and then there was rape and then there was that marine getting a gas canister in the face, and now this.

I just wish it will end soon before something even worse happens.

 

[Kura]

I went downtown one of the nights there were a ton of people protesting in Dundas Square in Toronto. I didn't take any pics but I thought it'd be cool to share some:

 

[Zet]

#OccupyBrisbane did $30,000 worth of damage, some people were arrested because they didn't move to the parklands where all the other protesters have moved to.

I should go out there and take pictures and report back here with them.

 

[parallelzero]

Unfortunately, things will start getting worse and worse as the protestors start getting fed up with nothing happening. Though, by doing nothing about the issues they're protesting, governments allow things to get worse. You can't really pin the blame solely on one side or the other, but I can't see things getting better from here-on out.