Cops protecting their corporate masters

[Dismal Science]

Police Brutality during the Occupy Wall Street Protests.

I generally don't agree with MSNBC but this stuff is outrageous!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL4Xc-AGaIA&feature=related

[Len Myers]

It IS outrageous. I generally don't agree with head-bashing, but after eleven days of senseless protest (against :qunq: corporate greed :qunq:) enough is enough.

[2pac Shakur]

Haven't we invaded ME countries for less?

[Dismal Science]

It IS outrageous. I generally don't agree with head-bashing, but after eleven days of senseless protest (against :qunq: corporate greed :qunq:) enough is enough.

Look at the corporate schill over here! Isn't freedom to assemble protected somewhere in the constitution? What's your beef with a peaceful demonstration?

[RazorGuns]

If they're white poeple - it's game on. It's when they're black or hispanic that cops have to watch themselves. Plus cops here in America can get away with it.

In Canada, UK and other countries - people get up in arms if a cop punches a protestor. Cops their can barely even touch you. Should've seen the outrage in Canada when Toronto cops did even half of what you see here at the G8.

n

[Guerilla poster]

It IS outrageous. I generally don't agree with head-bashing, but after eleven days of senseless protest (against :qunq: corporate greed :qunq:) enough is enough.

Mubarrak supporter, imo.

[Dismal Science]

Of course all the cops are coming out to defend each other as well. How can anyone respect the police when they defend the rotten apples?

[Rickson]

How about th media black out on this?

Most of these people are clueless as to the cure but they know the cause.

END THE BANKS!

[Harry]

How about th media black out on this?

Most of these people are clueless as to the cure but they know the cause.

END THE BANKS!
What media blackout?

[MichaelTurner]

How about th media black out on this?

Most of these people are clueless as to the cure but they know the cause.

END THE BANKS!
I disagree. I think people have been conditioned to think that it's all been somebody else's fault. If only those damn homeowners didn't buy more than they could afford :blah::blah::blah:

But yeah, I agree that the MSM media has been doing the people a disservice. Honestly, I think there'd be more coverage if this were happening in [insert ME country we'd like to invade]. Because no way is the good ole USofA becoming more and more a fascist police state every day.

[MichaelTurner]

As an aside, I walked through Zuccotti Park the other day. It's kinda staggering that there are still hundreds of people there, going on two weeks. I think there's a bit of an image problem (from a PR standpoint) that it's just a bunch of bored hipsters with too much time on their hands. The crowd did skew toward the 20-year-old stoner demographic, but from what I saw, it seemed to be relatively well organized and entirely peaceful.

[FormLetter]

What media blackout?

It would be easier to show otherwise.

I scan Huffington Post regularly and haven't seen anything there. I just did a quick scan of cnn and didn't see anything.

[FormLetter]

I think rather than trying to occupy Wall Street with people, they shoudl be bringing in 'stuff'. Push in cars, dumpsters, shopping carts, barrels, etc, and fill it with stuff. Surely the surrounding area could be the source for so much stuff that would overwhelm any group attempting to remove it.

I don't know what it accomplishes overall, either way.

[JUICE]

As an aside, I walked through Zuccotti Park the other day. It's kinda staggering that there are still hundreds of people there, going on two weeks. I think there's a bit of an image problem (from a PR standpoint) that it's just a bunch of bored hipsters with too much time on their hands. The crowd did skew toward the 20-year-old stoner demographic, but from what I saw, it seemed to be relatively well organized and entirely peaceful.

I guess that's the silver lining of high unemployment - time and ability to protest. The government should cut off their UE benefits. That'll teach them :judge:

[Loner]

What media blackout?

Seems to me it's been getting a surprisingly minimal amount of coverage. There's been little to no follow-up on the cop, and it seems like he was pretty blatantly in the wrong.

[Dismal Science]

I guess that's the silver lining of high unemployment - time and ability to protest. The government should cut off their UE benefits. That'll teach them :judge:

In other news the Bernank has called the unemployment rate a "National Crisis" - the oligarchs always get worried when a lot of people have extra time on their hands and no money to rot their brain with mainstream news.

[Dismal Science]

Seems to me it's been getting a surprisingly minimal amount of coverage. There's been little to no follow-up on the cop, and it seems like he was pretty blatantly in the wrong.

On the youtube video I linked I saw one commenter posted the the phone numbers of some of the offending police officers. Hopefully they at least got a few prank calls.

I do find it odd how these protests are getting minimal coverage - I only really heard about it on NPR and YouTube.

[JUICE]

I do find it odd how these protests are getting minimal coverage - I only really heard about it on NPR and YouTube.

The revolution will not be televised, didn't you know?

[MichaelTurner]

The revolution will not be televised, didn't you know?
:iatp:

[Harry]

As an aside, I walked through Zuccotti Park the other day. It's kinda staggering that there are still hundreds of people there, going on two weeks. I think there's a bit of an image problem (from a PR standpoint) that it's just a bunch of bored hipsters with too much time on their hands. The crowd did skew toward the 20-year-old stoner demographic, but from what I saw, it seemed to be relatively well organized and entirely peaceful.
It is a bunch of bored 20 something hipsters. College grads that majored in anthropology and went into massive debt to get the degree - now crying because they can't find a well-paying job to pay off their debt. Sleeping in a park isn't going to get them out of debt.

[Harry]

It would be easier to show otherwise.

I scan Huffington Post regularly and haven't seen anything there. I just did a quick scan of cnn and didn't see anything.
I've seen them on ABC news and Fox News. It's a hundred or so smelly hippies protesting against everything you would expect hippies to protest: people with jobs making money, the environment, save Mumia, and others.

[Harry]

Seems to me it's been getting a surprisingly minimal amount of coverage. There's been little to no follow-up on the cop, and it seems like he was pretty blatantly in the wrong.
I saw an article on it today - he is being investigated. I don't know the whole story, but I heard that the video edits out what led up to the cop's actions. But even if the cop was wrong. it's one cop out of hundreds or thousands that are there dealing with the smelly, loud hippies. Punish the bad cop if he was wrong, sure.

[Harry]

On the youtube video I linked I saw one commenter posted the the phone numbers of some of the offending police officers. Hopefully they at least got a few prank calls.

I do find it odd how these protests are getting minimal coverage - I only really heard about it on NPR and YouTube.
They also posted his home address and where his kids go to school. Classy.

[Jack]

Seems to me it's been getting a surprisingly minimal amount of coverage. There's been little to no follow-up on the cop, and it seems like he was pretty blatantly in the wrong.

He has his own wikipedia article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Bologna

He's an Islander so the Advance has been covering it pretty heavily.

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/09/cop_who_sprayed_paper_on_wall.html

Deputy Inspector is a very high position in the police dept.

[MichaelTurner]

I've seen them on ABC news and Fox News. It's a hundred or so smelly hippies protesting against everything you would expect hippies to protest: people with jobs making money, the environment, save Mumia, and others.
Well if Fox News says so it must be true.
They also posted his home address and where his kids go to school. Classy.I understand that it the hacker group "Anonymous" took credit for it, not those smelly hippies you speak of.

That being said, I approve of the release of this home address. His kids school, not so much. I hope nobody does anything violent, but I'd love to see protesters camping out on his lawn. Pigs need to know that there are consequences for their actions. Maybe next time he'll think twice before maceing a group of unarmed, roped in women who were absolutely no threat to anybody.

[Jack]

He's a cowardly pussy. No other way to describe it. He maces the girls and then walks away leaving the patrolmen to deal with the mess. What a boss. One of the patrolmen is heard saying "I can't believe he effing maced her". I think his subordinates were taken aback by his actions.

[Harry]

Well if Fox News says so it must be true.
I understand that it the hacker group "Anonymous" took credit for it, not those smelly hippies you speak of.

That being said, I approve of the release of this home address. His kids school, not so much. I hope nobody does anything violent, but I'd love to see protesters camping out on his lawn. Pigs need to know that there are consequences for their actions. Maybe next time he'll think twice before maceing a group of unarmed, roped in women who were absolutely no threat to anybody.
You know me, I believe everything Fox news tells me...

Anyway, I saw people holding the signs I mentioned.

[Loner]

He's a cowardly pussy. No other way to describe it. He maces the girls and then walks away leaving the patrolmen to deal with the mess. What a boss. One of the patrolmen is heard saying "I can't believe he effing maced her". I think his subordinates were taken aback by his actions.

He also apparently hit one of the cops in one of his sprays.

[MichaelTurner]

You know me, I believe everything Fox news tells me...

Anyway, I saw people holding the signs I mentioned.
I didn't see the signs you mentioned. I imagine the signs the MSM outlet you saw them on chose them for a specific reason (to suit their particular agenda).

I saw a lot of other signs. Stuff like ending the fed, ending corporate personhood, people before profits, crony capitalism, etc. The thing is, there's no unified message, or rallying cry. There's a lot of shit to be angry about.

To suggest that the protest is just a bunch of hipsters without jobs (really?!) completely misses the point.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

:usa:

[Harry]

I didn't see the signs you mentioned. I imagine the signs the MSM outlet you saw them on chose them for a specific reason (to suit their particular agenda).

I saw a lot of other signs. Stuff like ending the fed, ending corporate personhood, people before profits, crony capitalism, etc. The thing is, there's no unified message, or rallying cry. There's a lot of shit to be angry about.

To suggest that the protest is just a bunch of hipsters without jobs (really?!) completely misses the point.



:usa:
Exactly, which is why there isn't as much attention as you'd like, apparently. That and the lack of violence, which is what sell. News is business, right? A boring story about 100 dirty hippies sleeping on benches isn't that exciting.

I never claimed they don't have a right to do what they're doing. They got arrested when they broke the law - otherwise the cops are watching them, but not interfering.

[MichaelTurner]

Exactly, which is why there isn't as much attention as you'd like, apparently. That and the lack of violence, which is what sell. News is business, right? A boring story about 100 dirty hippies sleeping on benches isn't that exciting. I'd definitely like to see it get more attention, but I'm not surprised at the lack of it. It's not just "100 dirty hippies" though. There were several hundred people there, from all walks of life. Yes, the 'hippy' (what a vaguely defined, disparaging term) population was fully represented, but that's not the point.

I never claimed they don't have a right to do what they're doing. They got arrested when they broke the law - otherwise the cops are watching them, but not interfering.
The thing is, they're not breaking the law. They're exercising their inalienable human rights that just so happen to coincide with the cornerstone document of our legal system. And they're getting arrested with catchall charges like "disorderly conduct." I'm sure that some of the arrests were justified, but I doubt the vast majority were. Assaulting innocent protestors with pepper spray is WRONG. W-R-O-N-G. That the NYPD condones and justifies this behavior is appalling. That's my beef.

And coverage of events like this only seems to happen in some foreign country that we're itching to invade.

[FormLetter]

From the few Youtube bits I saw, it appeared to be far more than "100 hippies".

[Harry]

I'd definitely like to see it get more attention, but I'm not surprised at the lack of it. It's not just "100 dirty hippies" though. There were several hundred people there, from all walks of life. Yes, the 'hippy' (what a vaguely defined, disparaging term) population was fully represented, but that's not the point.


The thing is, they're not breaking the law. They're exercising their inalienable human rights that just so happen to coincide with the cornerstone document of our legal system. And they're getting arrested with catchall charges like "disorderly conduct." I'm sure that some of the arrests were justified, but I doubt the vast majority were. Assaulting innocent protestors with pepper spray is WRONG. W-R-O-N-G. That the NYPD condones and justifies this behavior is appalling. That's my beef.

And coverage of events like this only seems to happen in some foreign country that we're itching to invade.
Oh please. They were arrested for blocking traffic and things like that. If you're going to break the laws, accept the punishment. Civil disobedience comes with consequences. I don't know if the people who were pepper sprayed were innocent - apparently you're quite sure. Maybe they deserved it. If the cop was out of line, hopefully he is punished. But if 1 pepper spray incident is the worst the cops have done during a 2 week protest, in one of the busiest commercial areas anywhere, I'm impressed. The protesters are probably annoying the hell out of the innocent people that have to work around there every day.

[Harry]

From the few Youtube bits I saw, it appeared to be far more than "100 hippies".
Yeah, apparently the numbers fluctuate. Sometimes there are thousands apparently. But only 100-200 regular protestors there consistently, from what I've read.

[FormLetter]

One of my friends is contemplating quitting his job to join it. He was unable to articulate the goal when pressed.

[MichaelTurner]

Oh please. They were arrested for blocking traffic and things like that. If you're going to break the laws, accept the punishment. Civil disobedience comes with consequences. I don't know if the people who were pepper sprayed were innocent - apparently you're quite sure. Maybe they deserved it. If the cop was out of line, hopefully he is punished. But if 1 pepper spray incident is the worst the cops have done during a 2 week protest, in one of the busiest commercial areas anywhere, I'm impressed. The protesters are probably annoying the hell out of the innocent people that have to work around there every day.
Did you even watch the OP's video? Are you really trying to justify the way the police have handled the matter? You're welcome to make your own conclusions, but I see a whole lot of cops being pigs with no oversight or accountability. Surely there are plenty of good cops, but (for those who were sworn to protect and serve) even one bad apple is too many.

[Fish Actuary]

How about th media black out on this?

Most of these people are clueless as to the cure but they know the cause.

END THE BANKS!

Dude, this is being shown on a national news network.

[MichaelTurner]

One of my friends is contemplating quitting his job to join it. He was unable to articulate the goal when pressed.
:lol: Sounds like a winner. I doubt it's uncommon though. I a lot of people (not just protesters) know something's rotten in Denmark, but can't put a finger on it. Without a decent civic education, and considerable knowledge of the financial machinations that put us into this mess, it's hard for people to articulate why they're angry. Hell, I have trouble condensing everything that's wrong (and the complex issues that led to our current state of affairs) in a succinct manner. There's no single soundbyte that can do it justice.

People see the results though, and it's not pretty.

[Harry]

Dude, this is being shown on a national news network.
I think CNN is there. Wikileaks too.

[Harry]

:lol: Sounds like a winner. I doubt it's uncommon though. I a lot of people (not just protesters) know something's rotten in Denmark, but can't put a finger on it. Without a decent civic education, and considerable knowledge of the financial machinations that put us into this mess, it's hard for people to articulate why they're angry. Hell, I have trouble condensing everything that's wrong (and the complex issues that led to our current state of affairs) in a succinct manner. There's no single soundbyte that can do it justice.

People see the results though, and it's not pretty.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qifnJ3PwcAA/Tn-_9RE9ToI/AAAAAAAABDU/EWwgvQgrDSg/s320/animatingforce.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qifnJ3PwcAA/Tn-_9RE9ToI/AAAAAAAABDU/EWwgvQgrDSg/s1600/animatingforce.jpg)

[FormLetter]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qifnJ3PwcAA/Tn-_9RE9ToI/AAAAAAAABDU/EWwgvQgrDSg/s320/animatingforce.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qifnJ3PwcAA/Tn-_9RE9ToI/AAAAAAAABDU/EWwgvQgrDSg/s1600/animatingforce.jpg)

At least that person has figured out who Washington is rigged to help and who they aren't.

[FormLetter]

One of my friends is contemplating quitting his job to join it. He was unable to articulate the goal when pressed.

:lol: Sounds like a winner. I doubt it's uncommon though. I a lot of people (not just protesters) know something's rotten in Denmark, but can't put a finger on it. Without a decent civic education, and considerable knowledge of the financial machinations that put us into this mess, it's hard for people to articulate why they're angry. Hell, I have trouble condensing everything that's wrong (and the complex issues that led to our current state of affairs) in a succinct manner. There's no single soundbyte that can do it justice.

People see the results though, and it's not pretty.

It will give him time off from videotaping chemtrails.

[JUICE]

Hell, I have trouble condensing everything that's wrong (and the complex issues that led to our current state of affairs) in a succinct manner. There's no single soundbyte that can do it justice.

The pathological addiction to money. That's it. Unfortunately, most people cannot see over their cube walls and will not embrace a problem which they are party to.

[FormLetter]

Is it money? or power?

[MichaelTurner]

The pathological addiction to money. That's it. Unfortunately, most people cannot see over their cube walls and will not embrace a problem which they are party to.
It's not just money. There's an inextricable link between money, wealth, and power. They're not the same thing though. Money is just a tool (a way of keeping score if you well) to approximate wealth and (unfortunately) power.

[Rickson]

Money-Junkies.

This occupy wallstreet could be the start of the blood to water the tree of liberty.

We are in a 4th turning and on the back side an entirely new social contract will be born with the new economy and way of life.

Are you ready?

This actually provides some hope and change for me!

Anyone know how to send them some donuts? Maybe they need to just give the fat fascist swine some nice jelly filled donuts to leave them alone!

[Harry]

Money-Junkies.

This occupy wallstreet could be the start of the blood to water the tree of liberty.

We are in a 4th turning and on the back side an entirely new social contract will be born with the new economy and way of life.

Are you ready?

This actually provides some hope and change for me!

Anyone know how to send them some donuts? Maybe they need to just give the fat fascist swine some nice jelly filled donuts to leave them alone!
I see you're still holding out hope that everyone will be forced to live like it was the 18th century. Good luck with that!

[MichaelTurner]

Anyone know how to send them some donuts? Maybe they need to just give the fat fascist swine some nice jelly filled donuts to leave them alone!
https://occupywallst.org/
http://nycga.cc/donate/

:usa:

[llcooljabe]

It is a bunch of bored 20 something hipsters. College grads that majored in anthropology and went into massive debt to get the degree - now crying because they can't find a well-paying job to pay off their debt. Sleeping in a park isn't going to get them out of debt.

I've seen them on ABC news and Fox News. It's a hundred or so smelly hippies protesting against everything you would expect hippies to protest: people with jobs making money, the environment, save Mumia, and others.

Oh please. They were arrested for blocking traffic and things like that. If you're going to break the laws, accept the punishment. Civil disobedience comes with consequences. I don't know if the people who were pepper sprayed were innocent - apparently you're quite sure. Maybe they deserved it. If the cop was out of line, hopefully he is punished. But if 1 pepper spray incident is the worst the cops have done during a 2 week protest, in one of the busiest commercial areas anywhere, I'm impressed. The protesters are probably annoying the hell out of the innocent people that have to work around there every day.

I see you're still holding out hope that everyone will be forced to live like it was the 18th century. Good luck with that!

Who are you, and what have you done with the real harry?

[MichaelTurner]

Also, Bologna was accused of a second pepper spray attack moments after the first. Second video at the link.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/sep/28/occupy-wall-street-anthony-bologna

[Delothus]

It is a bunch of bored 20 something hipsters. College grads that majored in anthropology and went into massive debt to get the degree - now crying because they can't find a well-paying job to pay off their debt. Sleeping in a park isn't going to get them out of debt.

I overheard a young waiter complaining to coworker how he had a masters degree and it was f'ing bullsiht that he was making $10/hr. Later I learned he had his degree in behavioral science.

So let's recap, he decided to get a graduate degree in a field that is probably overwhelmingly employed at some govt level??? And he expects an amazing job when we are going bankrupt at all govt levels...

Too bad he didn't learn how to think for himself in college

[2pac Shakur]

Who are you, and what have you done with the real harry?

He will start complaining again - once an (R) gets into office.

[ShebaPoe]

He's a cowardly pussy. No other way to describe it. He maces the girls and then walks away leaving the patrolmen to deal with the mess. What a boss. One of the patrolmen is heard saying "I can't believe he effing maced her". I think his subordinates were taken aback by his actions.

One of the cops in the video shrugs his shoulders and puts his hands up as if to ask "why?". You can see his body language.

I support the disclosure of all his personal info except the kids' stuff. Police are not accountable to their chief or their mayor, but to citizens. If they will not self-police, then they are not a professional organization and must be treated as such.

Police are very resistant to being recorded. They want taxpayer money but not accountability to the source of their paycheck. But it doesn't work that way. Mr. Bologna is learning that now.

[ShebaPoe]

A system which relies on borrowing to create money can only result in the creditors having undue wealth, power and control of the economy. The core of every economic problem is the monetary system.

Sound money is as important to individual liberty as free speech or the right to bear arms.

[Delothus]

A system which relies on borrowing to create money can only result in the creditors having undue wealth, power and control of the economy. The core of every economic problem is the monetary system.

Sound money is as important to individual liberty as free speech or the right to bear arms.

That should of been in the bill of rights somehow. Like a warning or something...

[Delothus]

Also, Bologna was accused of a second pepper spray attack moments after the first. Second video at the link.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/sep/28/occupy-wall-street-anthony-bologna

Probably had money on the mets...

22758

[Len Myers]

We are in a 4th turning and on the back side an entirely new social contract will be born with the new economy and way of life.

Are you ready?

This actually provides some hope and change for me!

Uh, Rickson, you've just become a JSA.


Anyone know how to send them some donuts? Maybe they need to just give the fat fascist swine some nice jelly filled donuts to leave them alone!
My experience is that there are plenty of donuts in lower Manhattan.

[SamCook]

Of course all the cops are coming out to defend each other as well. How can anyone respect the police when they defend the rotten apples?

Here is another example of cops defending cops, pathetic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXkBbAdySNc&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLD79CEB55C1C5308D

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Police Brutality during the Occupy Wall Street Protests.

I generally don't agree with MSNBC but this stuff is outrageous!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL4Xc-AGaIA&feature=related

Ballsacking ballsacks

:swear:

[Loner]

Money-Junkies.

This occupy wallstreet could be the start of the blood to water the tree of liberty.

We are in a 4th turning and on the back side an entirely new social contract will be born with the new economy and way of life.

Are you ready?

This actually provides some hope and change for me!

Anyone know how to send them some donuts? Maybe they need to just give the fat fascist swine some nice jelly filled donuts to leave them alone!

4th turning? Can you :2pac: that for me? Thanks!

[Dismal Science]

The movement is growing! Unions are entering the fray.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/29/nyc-transit-union-joins-o_n_987156.html

New York City labor unions are preparing to back the unwieldy grassroots band occupying a park in Lower Manhattan, in a move that could mark a significant shift in the tenor of the anti-corporate Occupy Wall Street protests and send thousands more people into the streets.

The Transit Workers Union Local 100's executive committee, which oversees the organization of subway and bus workers, voted unanimously Wednesday night to support the protesters. The union claims 38,000 members. A union-backed organizing coalition, which orchestrated a large May 12 march on Wall Street before the protests, is planning a rally on Oct. 5 in explicit support. And SEIU 32BJ, which represents doormen, security guards and maintenance workers, is using its Oct. 12 rally to express solidarity with the Zuccotti Park protesters.

I generally hate unions but they are on the right side of this issue.

[The Right]

Apparently there is a police officer outpost.
http://wonkette.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/officer-com-occupywallstreet-1.jpg

Some of the posts.


JasperMT Those are great, the creaming kids are a hoot. I’m going to watch some more during football breaks. I’d love to see fire hoses employed, it would clean them up and clear the streets and sidewalks for traffic. We’d miss out on the entertainment though.
crass cop Yeah…I love how the chick just falls to her knees and starts screaming! I saw a guy do that when I went through the OC instructors course…it wasnt pretty
mikey medic LOL, those POOR protesters….i’ll lite a candle.
Marine 0083 Hopefully the scent of OC covers up that pachuli oil crap. WTF is up with that stuff anyway?
reils49 I thought that NYPD Lt. did a nice takedown on that kid in the orange shirt.
options open They seem to be protesting against…. well, everything. At one point they were chanting about unnecessary government spending. I found it ironic considering myself and probably a hundred other officers there because of them were on overtime. ChaChing! Please keep protesting… I could use the money!!
Big Will I got 14 hours cash money off those savages. Hopefully they can keep it going for a few more weeks my gas guzzling SUV needs new tires.
EmmaPeel Fricken communists. Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch.

[MathinTucson]

Here's the solution to police brutality -- every citizen carries a gun. Then when there is a peaceful protest, the cops aren't going to start pushing people around. "An armed society is a polite society."

[Dismal Science]

Apparently there is a police officer outpost

They certainly fit the stereotype...

[tenthring]

The only reason that you all aren't there is that your hope to sacrifice ratio isn't good enough. You've got jobs and health insurance and lives and you aren't going to give that up for some tiny protest that probably won't make a difference. If you read in the paper one morning that a mob of 100,000 people was rampaging through Manhatten and hanged the CEO of Goldmen Sachs you'd run up there to join in. Most regular people don't fear tear gas, or hoses, or anything else. They may not even fear losing their jobs if the cause is great enough. What they fear is futility. They fear going through all that but not changing anything.

So the only people that are going to start these things, the only ones that are going to join in when its 100 people instead of 100,000, are the kind of people without much to lose. The ones that aren't going to lose their job because they spend the week protesting because they don't have jobs. Even though they know its futile they don't have much to sacrifice, because they have nothing. And it should be no surprise that most of those people are going to be the subject of fun, because if they were the sharpest tacks they probably would have things to lose. But its not like what they are fighting for isn't what your fighting for. The case against wall street is so clear I don't think anyone not in hoc disagrees at this point.

You should hope something comes of it. Because let's face it the authorities aren't going to control those people. Popular uprising is the only thing that can keep them in line.

[Dismal Science]

Occupy Boston kicks off tonight!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterjreilly/2011/09/30/occupy-wall-street-in-boston-tonight/

Hopefully this becomes a national movement. I'm sure Fox will try to dismiss it as "class warfare."

[ditkaworshipper]

Apparently there is a police officer outpost.

Some of the posts.

I'm going to troll the shit out of this later!

[ShebaPoe]

I did LOL at the comment about the smell of patchouli.

The cops will at some point realize that they have more in common with the protestors than withy anyone who works "on wall street".

[panther]

Tony Baloney

[llcooljabe]

Here's the solution to police brutality -- every citizen carries a gun. Then when there is a peaceful protest, the cops aren't going to start pushing people around. "An armed society is a polite society."

But isn't pulling a gun on a cop a crime?

[Len Myers]

But isn't pulling a gun on a cop a crime?

If one person does it, yes. If a hundred people do it, not so much.

I generally hate unions but they are on the right side of this issue.
Unions are the epitome of unskilled labor greed. The only reason they oppose Wall Street greed is that they don't get a piece of the action.

[MathinTucson]

But isn't pulling a gun on a cop a crime?

Pulling a gun on anybody is a crime, unless you have a very good reason. My point is that in a world where people are armed, you think twice before you start pushing people around (or pepper spraying them) because the consequences can be severe.

[Dismal Science]

I've decided I'm going to stop by to see the protests on Tuesday night - I'll keep you guys posted!

[Dismal Science]

Well the brother of one of my room mates is going to the demonstrations this weekend. He is staying with us overnight - let's see if he gets arrested...

[Harry]

Well the brother of one of my room mates is going to the demonstrations this weekend. He is staying with us overnight - let's see if he gets arrested...
Looks like he has a good chance!

On the second week of protests by the Occupy Wall Street movement, a large group of marchers broke off from others on the bridge's pedestrian walkway and headed across the Brooklyn-bound lanes.
"Approximately 400 were arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge late this afternoon after multiple warnings by police were given to protesters to stay on the pedestrian walkway," a police spokesman said.
"Some complied and took the walkway without being arrested. Others locked arms and proceeded on the Brooklyn-bound vehicular roadway. The latter were arrested," he added.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/02/us-wallstreet-protests-idUSTRE7900BL20111002

[Dismal Science]

I've seen articles that say over 700 were arrested yesterday

[sweetiepie]

Pulling a gun on anybody is a crime, unless you have a very good reason. My point is that in a world where people are armed, you think twice before you start pushing people around (or pepper spraying them) because the consequences can be severe.
When there's already two clearly divided sides, the consequence of everyone having a gun can be war.

[sweetiepie]

The only reason that you all aren't there is that your hope to sacrifice ratio isn't good enough. You've got jobs and health insurance and lives and you aren't going to give that up for some tiny protest that probably won't make a difference. If you read in the paper one morning that a mob of 100,000 people was rampaging through Manhatten and hanged the CEO of Goldmen Sachs you'd run up there to join in. Most regular people don't fear tear gas, or hoses, or anything else. They may not even fear losing their jobs if the cause is great enough. What they fear is futility. They fear going through all that but not changing anything.

So the only people that are going to start these things, the only ones that are going to join in when its 100 people instead of 100,000, are the kind of people without much to lose. The ones that aren't going to lose their job because they spend the week protesting because they don't have jobs. Even though they know its futile they don't have much to sacrifice, because they have nothing. And it should be no surprise that most of those people are going to be the subject of fun, because if they were the sharpest tacks they probably would have things to lose. But its not like what they are fighting for isn't what your fighting for. The case against wall street is so clear I don't think anyone not in hoc disagrees at this point.

You should hope something comes of it. Because let's face it the authorities aren't going to control those people. Popular uprising is the only thing that can keep them in line.
:iatp: It's no use complaining that unemployed losers are the only voice against corporations when you're too busy working to join them.

[MathinTucson]

When there's already two clearly divided sides, the consequence of everyone having a gun can be war.

Worst case scenario, sure. I just don't believe that citizens are best off with only cops and bad guys having guns. And if being armed were the norm, people's behavior would change accordingly.