Thread: We are the 99 percent

Originally Posted by allniche

You're looking now with the benefit of hindsight though.

No, I'm not. Some made these claims over ten years ago, they made sense to me then.

Then again I'm also one who thought that the housing market was getting a bit overheated in 1998 or so and the tech bubble seemed unsustainable to me as well...

Originally Posted by allniche

In 1999 everyone was saying how IT jobs would rise 30% (or osmething similar) a year. The world was completely different. Colleges and banks played right into it. Do you really expect a 20 something out of high school to have figured out that everyone was basically deluded and lying?

Why not? Typically it's easier, not harder, for young people to detect hypocrisy and predict such trends as they have very little invested in their future yet and hence less to cloud their judgment. If they are not to be held responsible for their own decisions made of their own free will then who is to be reponsible? Some phantoms on Wall Street perhaps?

@NobleSavage: I was aware of other people involved, and wasn't trying to imply that it was nothing but college students. Before the unions got involved the crowd did seem to skew very, very hard to the under 30 crowd. I did see a handful of senior citizens in some of the photos as well, but very few 30-60 year olds. The crowd started with a very disparate message and it seems to have been attracting ever more groups; i.e., at the start of this I don't recall any labor union involvement whatsoever, nor any protestors mentioning anything about labor unions, though they were clearly seeking a forum of some sort to join or hijack after the Wisconsin events.

It's turning into a very disjointed bitch-a-thon. Actually it reminds me a lot of the tea party movement when that was in its infancy. Differing idealogies, but the same basic structure.

BTW, I disagree with the message of most of these folks which seems to be that they're seeking their own favorable special treatments rather than equality, however if they manage to actually hold their representatives accountable to their rhetoric, then good for them. I'm as tired of seeing every wackadoo liberal support a corporate schill who espouses rhetoric which they don't even attempt to live up to as I am tired of seeing the reverse with the conservatives. The politicians have simply been playing a game of seeing how effectively they can pit the voters against one another while pulling the same old shit as they've always done. I suppose that's always been done to some degree or another however there comes a point when social responsibility ought to be given some consideration by our elected officials and frankly... that seems to have gone entirely missing from the majority of them, while the poltical debates border ever further into the absurd, impractical, and meaningless.

Originally Posted by allniche

Well I noted today that there was a picture of one protester who was apparently 36 and attending classes to become a social worker. So there are some older people. Also apparently some unions are now supporting it so it's no longer "a bunch of college age kids."

You got it all wrong. 36 is not older you don't get older until you are pushing 45 and then around 55 you become old. Meanwhile at 65 you become a senior and can take part in all types of programs and discounts that would otherwise be reserved for the poor.

Originally Posted by AmateurFlix

The crowd started with a very disparate message and it seems to have been attracting ever more groups; i.e., at the start of this I don't recall any labor union involvement whatsoever, nor any protestors mentioning anything about labor unions, though they were clearly seeking a forum of some sort to join or hijack after the Wisconsin events.

It started with 9 people representing Anonymous who took to the streets in masks hoping to get others to join their cause.

Unlike rich corporations, we can't afford marketing campaigns so we rely on everyday people to spread the word. Please remember, this movement is you! If you want to see this occupation happen with a critical mass of people, it becomes your personal responsibility to help out with whatever means you have available. Please help us spread the word!

Now lets look at some facts people as many are saying this group was started by, is part of or joined or merged with X, Y and Z but this is not the case. It's totally independant but keep in mind that it got very little traction at the start. There were few people that showed up and the media gave it no play whatsoever which put it on the train to failtown. The group was bound to give up and fall apart in another week or so if things did not pick up a bit.

Then along comes this Officer Shit for Brains who actually helped to put the protesters on the map. No longer could the media sit back and remain completely quiet when civil rights were now being violated and people were being kettled like farm animals. Unless they wanted to deal with some serious backlash from we the viewers because those people being abused have family and their family have family. In fact Russia today was there giving this thing some air play at the start and even calling out the other media sources for ignoring it.

The whole thing with Unions, MoveOn, Adbusters and whatever are simply piggy back rides that were given to help the group get noticed. When Officer Shit for Brains used violence the media woke up and began to scramble. Then once the Unions waved their magic wand the media really started to talk about it because these unions have very old and deep roots. So one group supporting a smaller group they feel needs to be heard does not actually link those groups together. Those big money Union Ballers are not giving Occupy Wall Street financial support which they clearly would if they were actually interlinked.

Many say the group is headed in to many directions but that is soft of the point that draws people in. Occupy Wall Street is strictly about Wall Street and that remains the primary core focus. The idea of giving everyone a voice is part of convincing people to join united in this cause for a greater purpose. You show up and support freedom without the ball and chain that is Wall Street and in turn you are given a voice you would never get otherwise. Many students, people that lost homes and some who were struggling with debt showed up early on because they could identify in some way with the core of the movement itself. Shortly after this thing started Wiki Leaks came along and began streaming to Live Leaks which drew even more interest.

Most of us self centered and spoiled Americans see ourselves as to good (i'm willing to admit it) to sleep on the street corner or going outside to protest in the heat. It's not something people do just for fun but rather like going to war you do it because you believe that your suffering has value. When people camp in the woods and get bit up by mosquitoes it's not fun but the connection to nature for many is worth coming home a few pints low on blood.

I have to give these guys props because Anonymous could play dirty and simply hack every major media source out there to spread propaganda. If the government really wanted to play with fire it would for sure get burned by trying to stop the protests entirely. There may be powerful and smart fuckers working for the government no doubt. But there are even smarter people in the Private Sector and better technology only makes it easier for them to hide in the shadows.

Do keep in mind there are also groups popping up all over the US and the World that are allied with or similar to the Occupy Wall Street movement. These groups are all going to be a little different because they are started for similar but different reasons. Some may have a true leadership while others may follow the ways of the Wall Street group. You can even bet there will be fake groups created merely to paint a bad image and cause problems for everyone else in the movement.

The unemployment rate for under 30 year olds is higher then the average, especially fresh college grads... so it would make sense for the age makeup to be skewed some too

It sure beats the unemployed tea partiers that just think the cure is lowering rich peoples taxes

Originally Posted by arock

It sure beats the unemployed tea partiers that just think the cure is lowering rich peoples taxes

the tea party isn't just about taxes, it's also about the scope of federal government, representatives corrupted by lobbyists, and our basic civil rights such as not being forced to buy shit from corporations if we don't want to, the last item being perhaps the main catalyst.

OccupyWallStreet is purely about free buttsecks for everyone... I read that on teh internets

Originally Posted by nation-x

OccupyWallStreet is purely about free buttsecks for everyone... I read that on teh internets

I always thought internets was provided buttsecks free for everyone?

Originally Posted by Acer

You really have no remote idea what you are talking about.

Dude, get a clue, then give your opinion. Can't believe your level of ignorance, seriously.

Read some book from time to time. Books don't bite.

Lol awesome Acer is not only butt hurt that he can't make money in adult he is also pro tea party?

Originally Posted by allniche

A relative of mine had some people from there move next door to them right around the time of the war about a decade ago. A local church had helped them get the apartment and get back on their feet. They seemed like decent people. Have you ever been to America?

Nope, but i will visit america soon