Occupy Wall Street

[-mmm-]

Just wondering if any of you guys have any thoughts on this. After all some of the things that have transpired thus far Ive some here post about.

First thing was the "Tony Baloney" incident in which a NYPD cop pepper sprayed a group of women. This goes along with the thread from awhile back about the increasing abusive practices of police across the country.

Secondly is the crowd itself. Now what scant media coverage has tried to make it look like the usual fringe of DFHs (dirty f'ing hippies). But as far as I can tell, theres just as many Ron Paul people in there (some of the demands from some corners include things like getting rid of the Fed). And this makes intuitive sense, as there are many corners of both progressives and libertarians who are pissed off at whats been done for Wall Street AND what Wall Street has done.

I cant remember what blog I read it on now, but someone on the intertubes made a great point that this is likely the start of the 3rd wave movement of American politics of the modern era. The first wave was the netroots who helped filled the leadership void in the Democrats after the 2002 elections, the 2nd was the Tea Party who helped fill the leadership void after the colossal Republican collapses of 2006 and 08, and now its the "OWS" group. If this goes down a similar path of the previous groups, the next couple years are bound to get interesting.

[SayOw]

Originally Posted by -mmm-

If this goes down a similar path of the previous groups, the next couple years are bound to get interesting.

Unfortunately, I'm thinking the best we can hope for is inseparable* gridlock between all elected officials so the bureaucrats can't figure out how best to spend our hard earned money...unfortunately they always seem to find a way to do so and make sure they are getting fat as well.

* Please don't report me to Being (aka: the VP - Vernacular Police) for using words like this...I was fined fairly hefty last time. Fortunately, I don't think he patrols these parts much, so it might slip past his dragnet...thanks in advance.

[yon Beast]

Originally Posted by SayOw

* Please don't report me to Being (aka: the VP - Vernacular Police) for using words like this...I was fined fairly hefty last time. Fortunately, I don't think he patrols these parts much, so it might slip past his dragnet...thanks in advance.

beast feels no foul incurred here. You can do better.

[SiteWolf]

Anyone else find comments from people like Herman Cain on this to be just another way it's obvious how out of touch with 'us regular people' politicians, etc are?

right, Herm...people are 'whining' because 'they aren't getting their's'...it's not like people in power aren't just taking ours away...

[SiteWolf]

oh, I'm not saying I agree....or really know...the point of their protest

...but there's an old adage that applies to my thoughts regarding Wall Street types- just because you can doesn't mean you should

personally, it just seems there is far too much greed in this country anymore......I have no problem with people working hard and reaping a lot of success......but I do have a problem when that so-called success is only reached by stepping on other people along the way...especially when it's people who have no control over what you're doing (i.e. big oil companies)

[SiteWolf]

Originally Posted by StockTrader

I've said this before re: the oil argument, but I'll say it here again now.

You can fully control your oil consumption. Here are a few ideas:

• Purchase a more fuel efficient vehicle
• Walk more than you drive
• Carpool
• Steal your gas

Nick

my personal oil consumption doesn't reduce big oil's political clout......unless millions drastically reduce their consumption..

[SayOw]

I like the protest...for the most part. But what I don't like is the label of "protest" being applied in most cases today because they are not really "protests" like the good ole days.

Now-a-days, the protesters stay in predefined areas, get proper permits to walk about town and have rallies and really are nothing more then a legal parade. Much of the occupy movement fits that description, imo.

When people begin to ignore the police because they are really angry at what is going on, then we'll have a protest that is noteworthy. In no way am I condoning that, but just my observational opinion. For some reason, I don't think "protesters" that drive to the "protest" in their Prius are really as upset about corporate greed as the soundbite they provide to the media claims. Look at some other more recent American riots like in the 60's or even the '92 LA riot...you had people willing to essentially fight for what they thought was right. I see catered food, celebrity cameos, meetings and organizational charts in the occupy movement...sure, times may change, but a real protest or riot never will and what I am seeing right now is neither. I would classify this more as a rally than a protest.

[SayOw]

Originally Posted by StockTrader

And that's the key -- starts with one and cascades into millions.

The problem here is that there are too many developing countries that have no concern for lowering their fuel consumption and that will inevitably set the price for oil/gas. Every American could cut their own personal consumption of gas to a minimum and prices and demand will continue to increase because it is in global demand.

(Talking point #145 from the book of oil/gas price increase media quotes)

[rich76]

Originally Posted by SayOw

The problem here is that there are too many developing countries that have no concern for lowering their fuel consumption and that will inevitably set the price for oil/gas. Every American could cut their own personal consumption of gas to a minimum and prices and demand will continue to increase because it is in global demand.

(Talking point #145 from the book of oil/gas price increase media quotes)

India and China......sky's the limit.

[SayOw]

Originally Posted by StockTrader

http://online.wsj.com/video/the-inne...1034EF75E.html

Exactly my point...

People that are truly mad about something aren't "organizing" and voting on a course of action...the mob rules.

I also think the occupy movement will begin to wane as they begin to allow other "causes" to join theirs. This rally is trying to be too perfect and pie-in-the-sky rather than effective.

[-mmm-]

Apparently Citi is having people arrested if they try to close their accounts with them (I saw it trending on twitter, grabbed the first halfway decent link I saw, so apologies if it isnt to a corporate media site).

Link

[SayOw]

I doubt that people are being arrested for closing their accounts...but rather, a splinter group of protesters doing a sit-in...and being arrested for trespassing...

[-mmm-]

Originally Posted by SayOw

I doubt that people are being arrested for closing their accounts...but rather, a splinter group of protesters doing a sit-in...and being arrested for trespassing...

Looks to be a bit of both. Ahh yeah, the fun of breaking news in the modern world

On a slightly related note, I get a good chuckle seeing you guys link to the WSJ given they've had their own little bit of Wall Street-style greed in regards to how they've been running their business: Link

[SayOw]

Printed newspapers have been circling the drain for a couple years now. Only the "creative" newspapers continue to remain profitable, the rest resort to tricks and gimmicks to try and stay relevant.

We are in a weird time where journalism isn't fact based but time based because of the internet. I think when an entity can successfully merge both we will, again, see some quality reporting again and hopefully a new era of journalism.

[-mmm-]

Yep newspapers are dying. This is in part because they are part of this whole problem. Here's the NYT front page for today: Link

Let's see, 2(!!) stories about Mitt Romney, something happening in Senegal, people are climbing mountains (always front page news!), something about Iran. Hmm even the supposed paper of record, the supposed bastion of the liberal media, is doing all it can to ignore the big story right in front of its nose.