The Occupy Movement in the 2012 Elections
Just as the Tea Party did in 2009 and 2010, Occupiers have begun to shift American political discourse. We are now more aware of, and more outraged by, the growing income disparity in our country and the pervasive role of money in our elections. This trend may merely be indicative of the cyclical nature of American political interests, but I prefer to believe in the power of Occupy Wall Street and its message.
Concurrently, though, there is something quietly unsettling about the movement. Perhaps it is that I still believe in the capitalist system, and I cringe every time my peers use the words “dirty capitalist” or “bouji.” Or perhaps, it is that I am waiting for the Occupy movement to materialize into a real operation for political change within the confines of our flawed two party system. Occupiers believe that the American political process once belonged to the American people but has since been co-opted by corporations, special interests groups, and big money. The movement is characterized by a desire to reclaim the American political process – a goal that cannot be achieved entirely by operating outside that same system.
http://tinyurl.com/7zpqy2j
Was Occupy’s “Shut Down the Corporations” Action a Success?
If the action was intended only to be educational, then it surely succeeded, since numerous news outlets had to explain to the public the main target of the actions: ALEC, a group of corporations that work together to buy off politicians so that pro-corporate laws can be passed and anti-1% laws can be defeated.
However, if the goal of the day of action was to build power towards winning concrete victories for working people, Shut Down the Corporations must be viewed with greater scrutiny.
Although education is a crucial component in any social movement, it must be incorporated into a larger strategy of building power among the 99%. This creates an easy barometer to assess Occupy or labor movement actions: does the action build power or not?
http://tinyurl.com/86park2
The Truth About Drug-Testing the Unemployed
The new federal law that lets states drug-test applicants for unemployment compensation was a small win for the Republican-led efforts to examine the urine of everyone receiving government safety-net benefits. How many people it will affect depends on how the Department of Labor establishes the regulations-and on whether the courts continue to hold that such policies violate the Constitution’s protection against unreasonable searches.
House Republicans initially wanted to let states drug-test all 7.5 million people collecting unemployment compensation. The compromise reached in the payroll tax-cut deal, along with cutting six months off the time people can collect, authorizes states to test applicants for benefits in two circumstances: if they were fired for using drugs, or if the only occupation they’re suited for is one the Department of Labor lists as commonly requiring drug-testing.
http://tinyurl.com/76u33c5
Sixth Advertiser Drops Limbaugh Despite His ‘Apology’ Because He’s Beyond The ‘Bounds Of Decency’
Moments ago, Carbonite – a company providing backup software for computers – announced that it will no longer advertise on Rush Limbaugh’s show. CEO David Friend made clear in a Facebook statement that, despite Limbaugh’s “apology” issued tonight, the company was still pulling its ads because it wants to “contribute to a more civilized public discourse”:
No one with daughters the age of Sandra Fluke, and I have two, could possibly abide the insult and abuse heaped upon this courageous and well-intentioned young lady. Mr. Limbaugh, with his highly personal attacks on Miss Fluke, overstepped any reasonable bounds of decency. Even though Mr. Limbaugh has now issued an apology, we have nonetheless decided to withdraw our advertising from his show. We hope that our action, along with the other advertisers who have already withdrawn their ads, will ultimately contribute to a more civilized public discourse.
http://tinyurl.com/6odvuga
International Artists Participate In Streamed Occupy Performance Event
Participating artists, artist collectives, Occupy groups, and presenters worldwide will expand the reach and visibility of the Occupy protests by broadcasting to an international community and audiences. The Occupy protests, and the myriad of perspectives and experiences related to this unique moment, will be amplified, explored, and experimented with, through Low Lives’ internet-based creative platform. Low Lives: Occupy! recognizes the powerful opportunity that is the presentation of performances from around the world, and invites artists to open eyes and minds by presenting a radical re-imagining of possible ways of existing and relating
http://tinyurl.com/6sddqqz
Wyoming On ‘The Road’ To Crisis Plan For Zombie/Hippie Uprising
Managing not to jizz themselves at the Ted Nugentness of it all, the Survivalists of the Wyoming House passed by voice vote a first reading of House Bill 85, which would prepare the “state” for potential catastrophes from Cormac McCarthy nuclear babyrapists to zombies to stoner Occupy louts to negroes come for their women.
. . .
The task force would look at the feasibility of Wyoming issuing its own alternative currency, if needed. And House members approved an amendment Friday by state Rep. Kermit Brown, R-Laramie, to have the task force also examine conditions under which Wyoming would need to implement its own military draft, raise a standing army, and acquire strike aircraft and an aircraft carrier.
Conspiracy theory and the 99%
Many of the ideas being hawked around the margins of Occupy camps are not only useless in understanding the current crisis but also positively harmful and dangerous.
In the post-Enlightenment morass in which we find ourselves, all manner of crack-pot ideas, conspiracy theories- what Francis Wheen calls ‘mumbo-jumbo’- have taken root. Many of them are able to play off the ambiguities of the 99% slogan to suggest that the key to understanding the current crisis lies in exposing the machinations of a plutocratic elite, said to be manipulating world events, often through control of the money supply.
One such conspiracy theory can be found in the Zeitgeist films which focus excessively on money, the Federal Reserve and ‘international bankers’ as the root of the problem. This manner of explanation is what the Russian-born French historian Léon Poliakov called ‘diabolical causality’, attributing the outworking of systemic impulses to the conscious and omnipotent agency of certain groups or individuals. Zeitgest pedals an age-old trope, the emphasis on money and its alleged manipulation by a secretive cabal little more than a coded version of the anti-Semitism found in the writings of French fin de siècle scribbler Edouard Drumont or the Tsarist forgery, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
Occupy The Future – with ‘roots in Catholic and Protestant social ethics’
City governments around the nation have driven Occupy Wall Street demonstrators into the streets-sometimes with unusual force-depriving “Occupiers” of a physical claim on ongoing protest in public space. But the movement no longer depends on privileged sites of occupation. It may be on its way to becoming something much more-a force for economic democracy, a contemporary vision of society and economic justice that has deep roots in Catholic and Protestant social ethics.
It was not a coincidence that the Protestant social gospel, the modern Catholic tradition of social teaching, various socialist movements, the fields of social ethics and sociology and the ideas of social structure and social justice all arose during the 19th century. They were all cultural products of the clash between corporate capitalism and a rising trade union movement. A call for the common good and economic democracy, the social gospel was a response to the story of its time.
http://tinyurl.com/7sj8mjr
Fed shrugged off warnings, let banks pay shareholders billions in increased dividends and stock buy-backs
In March 2011, the Federal Reserve green-lighted most of the top 19 financial institutions to deliver tens of billions of dollars to shareholders, including many of their own top executives. The 19 paid out $33 billion in the first nine months of 2011 in dividends and stock buy-backs.
That $33 billion is money that the banks don’t have to cushion themselves-and the broader financial system-should the euro crisis cause a new recession, tensions with Iran flare into war and disrupt the oil supply, or another crisis emerge.
http://tinyurl.com/7vlv5pa
How Moderate Republicans Became Extinct
During the late 1960s, a number of moderate Republicans — such as those associated with the Ripon Society, a think tank that served as an incubator for centrist policies — correctly predicted that a southernized GOP, shaped by a fusion of conservatism and populism, would “have an enormous appetite for federal subsidies in the form of defense spending, oil allowances, and agricultural supports,” Kabaservice writes. Indeed, the conservative appetite for federal spending grew ever more voracious in the decades that followed. Call it redistribution for me, but not for thee.
Which Side Are You On? Disenchanted with the Democratic Party, unions threaten secession in 2012
As labor unions plan their political work for this election year, they face two uncomfortable truths:
First, from the state to the national levels, Republicans – relying on both a huge influx of money unleashed by the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling and extreme attack ad nastiness – have demonstrated their intensified determination to dismantle the labor movement, workers’ rights and government programs, policies and institutions critical for the economic security and democratic voice of the 99% of Americans.
Second, many working people – including many union members and even union leaders – are disappointed with the inability of the Democrats, including President Obama, to fight for progressive policies and challenge the unified and reactionary Right.
Occupy the Legislature [OR]
Hundreds of activists from Occupy groups from around the state converged on the State Capitol today to bring the message of the 99% to the halls of power in Oregon. Occupiers explain that the intent is to maintain a symbolic “Occupation” of the Capitol building as long as the Legislature is in secession.
In a departure from previous more confrontational occupations in city parks and shipping choke points, “Occupy the Legislature – Oregon” is engaging in direct citizen involvement in the legislative process.
Occupiers received pointers on, the legislative process, how to engage with legislators and on how move or effect legislation to benefit the 99% at General Assemblies and off-site workshops.
Dueling Rallies [MN]
Four people were arested for disorderly conducts today at a dueling rally. About eight white nationalist, referred to by some as white supremacists, came to rally against a local anti-racism campaign. When the Supreme White Alliance stepped outside of the Duluth Civic Center this morning opposing protestors were there with a different message.
They came to rally against the Un-Fair campaign which urges white people to be aware of racism, but members of a white nationalist group was immediately confronted with a counter rally. About 200 people showed up to rally against the nationalist group. Promoting multicultural unity, instead of hate, and going beyond race. Counter protestor Veronica Ochoa said she was as an academic, saying race is a social construction. “I think that’s why we’re here.To make sure and ensure that they understand that this is not any type of ideology of behavior that will be tolerated” she said.
. . .
Occupy Duluth had a big presence at the rally. Even encouraging occupy members from the Twin Cities to protest. Liz Dahl is a member of Occupy Minneapolis. She made the trip to Duluth with 50 to 60 others to stand up against racist ideologies. “White supremacy is long over and we’re one nation. We are one people. It doesn’t matter what color your skin is. That’s how it is.” Dahl said she was there to support her brothers and sisters in hopes for solidarity.
http://tinyurl.com/7ezv4ss
Students staging a sit-in as part of Occupy DePaul on Friday
Photos from Occupy DePaul’s Friday night sit-in in the Lincoln Park Student Center. Students are requesting that a vote on a proposed tuition increase be halted until an open forum is heard on the matter.
http://tinyurl.com/7y3l3r4
University Trustees Try To Duck ‘Occupy DePaul’ Protesters
Following several days of protests by a small but determined band of students, DePaul University’s trustees went to great lengths Saturday to try to avoid them as they debated a tuition increase.
Told initially that the trustees would meet in the Student Center on DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus at 9 a.m. Saturday, 25 protesters gathered at about 7:30 a.m. A short time later, they were told the location of the trustees’ meeting had been changed and received text messages from Student Government Association President Anthony Alfono saying he was being driven to a secret location, and led in a back door, so that he could not identify the surroundings.
Occupy May Seem To Be Receding, But Look Closer
For people who watch TV news or read newspapers, the Occupy movement might seem to be in hibernation.
Most of the encampments are gone, and diminished numbers take part in protests. But there’s a lot of ferment behind the scenes – at least at Occupy Wall Street.
Check the Occupy Wall Street website and you’ll see at least 15 events every day: meetings by working groups on arts and culture, alternative banking, media, security.
http://tinyurl.com/7qtcwl3
Occupy Athens to set up tents outside city hall to protest proposed Walmart
Occupy Athens – formerly a fixture at the University of Georgia’s Arch – plans to stake out City Hall until the Athens-Clarke Commission agrees to hold four public hearings on the proposed downtown Walmart.
Occupy Athens members announced their intention to set up a tent city Saturday afternoon during a rally against the proposed WalMart on the steps of City Hall.
The rally attracted about 300 people and included several speakers such as Melissa Link and Russell Edwards of People for a Better Athens, Athens Area Habitat for Humanity executive director and state House candidate Spencer Frye and downtown business owners.
http://tinyurl.com/7udluaj
Occupy Mobile group plans 190-mile march to Montgomery to protest tax on groceries
A group from Occupy Mobile plans to gather downtown Saturday morning to begin a 190-mile walk to Montgomery in protest of the sales tax on groceries, an organizer said in a news release tonight.
Marchers will join with supporters at 10 a.m. in Mobile’s Cathedral Square prior to their departure, said Travis Cummins. The group will spend 12 days walking along U.S. 31 and other rural routes, and will arrive in the capital on March 15th, to coincide with a rally at the State House organized by Alabama Arise, an advocacy group also opposed to the grocery tax.
Alabama Arise and the Occupy Mobile group consider the tax on groceries as placing a disproportionate burden on the poor.
http://tinyurl.com/7blu99b
Richmond [CA] Mayor Welcomes Occupy, Education Marchers
City leaders aren’t always welcoming of Occupy, but that was far from the case in Richmond Friday.
Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin made a morning visit to St. Mark’s Church, the first overnight stop in the four-day Occupy Education march from the Bay Area to Sacramento. The group plans to reach UC Davis Sunday and board busses to join large demonstrations at the State capitol on Monday. About 100 people signed up for the march, with some joining at stops along the way, according to march organizers.
As marchers started the day with bagels, coffee, juice and fresh fruits, McLaughlin said she was thrilled when the Occupy movement started to address wealth gaps and corporations. The City of Richmond is currently fighting with Chevron over property tax assessments the oil company believes are too high. Should Chevron win, government agencies would be forced to repay millions which would bring devastating budget cuts, McLaughlin said.
Pro-education occupiers stop in Vallejo on way to the Capitol
Vallejo was the second pit stop for dozens of protesters marching from Oakland to Sacramento in the name of public education. They are supporters of Occupy Education of Northern California.
The “occupiers” began their trek at 10 a.m. in Richmond, and reached the Vallejo end of the Carquinez Bridge more than seven hours later, at about 5:30 p.m. The march started Thursday in Oakland.
“Everyone was excited when we got to the bridge,” said Terence Yancey, a San Francisco State University student.
http://tinyurl.com/845n3nw
Mayor Quan Confronts Issues Raised by Arrests of Journalists
The meeting, held Tuesday afternoon at Oakland City Hall, was called in an effort to discuss incidents of working reporters and photographers being detained and in some cases arrested by Oakland Police Department officers during several Occupy Oakland protests in recent months.
“I think we have OK policies, but can there by improvements?” Quan asked.
Representatives of the Media Workers Guild and other groups advocated improvement in Oakland police policies concerning journalists covering street protests after recent detentions and arrests in Oakland. Sara Steffens, a staff rep for the Guild and CWA District 9, at right, was at the meeting with Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, left at head of table.
Protest planned at NC conservative conference
Liberal activists, a major labor union and members of the Occupy movement are planning to protest a conservative leadership conference in Raleigh.
The demonstration Saturday is outside a conference sponsored by the Raleigh-based Civitas Institute that aims to gear up conservative activists and others interested in the 2012 elections. Conference speakers include columnist and Fox News commentator Charles Krauthammer and nationally syndicated radio host Jason Lewis.
http://tinyurl.com/7c4af99
Occupy Blacksburg [VA] carries message to Richmond – Supporters urge state lawmakers to increase funding for public education
Supporters of Occupy Blacksburg hit the road Friday, taking a message of strong support for public education to Richmond.
A group that has demonstrated against economic injustice, Occupy Blacksburg has also encouraged supporters to sign an online petition advocating strong support for public education. Friday morning, Starflower and Mike O’Sullivan travelled to Richmond to meet with state lawmakers.
Democratic Party Trickery Forces Kleinman Off Primary Ballot
Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz’s progressive challenger, Nate Kleinman, has withdrawn his name from the Democratic primary ballot after people close to Schwartz pursued a spurious legal challenge to Kleinman’s nominating petitions.
I hate this sort of trickery and legal maneuvering. Kleinman pretty clearly has the signatures to appear on the primary ballot, but doesn’t have the money to fight a legal challenge. The Congresswoman is clearly worried about a bruising primary fight during a year with a highly anti-incumbent electorate.
That’s not what democracy is supposed to be about, and it’s not why we have the ability to challenge petitions in court. What about a fair fight, Ms. Schwartz?
Farmers fight back against Honduran elite
The film follows 3,000 landless farming families as they occupy the palm oil plantations of Miguel Facussé, the richest man in Honduras. Over their two-year-long occupation, they’ve been threatened, jailed, beaten, had their homes burnt down, and more than forty farmers have been killed by Facussé’s guards, the police, and the military, all of which work together to try and push them off the land. Despite this constant violence, the families are still there and they’re not going anywhere.
The occupation began after the 2009 military coup d’etat-organized by Facussé and other oligarchs-that overthrew the only president that ever supported the farmers. Abandoned by the electoral process, the farmers took over the land and are now implementing their own democracy inside the occupied plantations.
http://tinyurl.com/7xwnlye
Private Cops to Replace Public Ones in British Counties
Private companies could take responsibility for investigating crimes, patrolling neighbourhoods and even detaining suspects under a radical privatisation plan being put forward by two of the largest police forces in the country. West Midlands and Surrey have invited bids from G4S and other major security companies on behalf of all forces across England and Wales to take over the delivery of a wide range of services previously carried out by the police.
Ben Priestley, Unison’s national office for police and justice, which covers many police civilian staff, said it was alarmed by the programme: “Bringing the private sector into policing is a dangerous experiment with local safety and taxpayers’ money,” he said. “We are urging police authorities not to fall into the trap of thinking the private sector is the answer to the coalition’s cuts. The fact that the Home Office is refusing to publish its business case – even under FOI [the Freedom of Information Act] – speaks for itself.
“Privatisation means that the police will be less accountable to the public. And people will no longer be able to go to the Independent Police Complaints Commission if they have a problem. When a critical incident happens, a force’s ability to respond will be severely compromised. The only winners are private companies and shareholders who make profits at the expense of local services.”
3 Responses to “The OB Media Rundown for 3/4/12”
I believe that by July of 2012 the Occupy Movement will have to choose, do we stand on principle or move the Dems to the left and actually get something done for our kids and grand kids. I think around 10% of the movement will shear away and stick to civil disobedience and 90% of the movement will take the work we have been doing in our working groups and using the political system create new paradigms that will overtake greed and ignorance and change the world for ever. Tools like the 99 Pledge (The99Pledge.com)will become very important and useful.
on March 4th, 2012 at 4:26 am #
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Regarding the article you have listed “Conspiracy theory and the 99%,” I’d like to offer a rebuttal. I feel that author hasn’t really understood the Zeitgeist Movement. Liam McNulty keeps referring to the conspiracy theories about the “Illuminati” or anti Semitism. That is NOT what the Zeitgeist Movement is about. It’s main purpose is the abolishment of the monetary system in favor of a Resource-Based Economy.
The Movement states that a monetary system is inherently corrupt b/c it always means that there are people with more and people with less…meaning, of course you are going to get a 1% that own most of the assests. It’s built in to the system. If you are a business trying to sell something to someone, you HAVE to charge either more than the product is worth, or skimp on materials, because you have to make a profit. That is inherently unsustainable and corrupt. Not to mention that all money is debt. If everyone paid off all their debts in the country, there would be no more money.
The third movie in the Zeitgeist series, Zeitgeist: Moving Forward, also discusses the social aspects of our system, and how most of us are not having our physical and emotional needs met. And why aren’t we having them met? Because we have parents out there working several jobs with not time to love and care for their kids. They can barely put food on the table. This is not how you raise responsible, empathetic, caring people. We are so concerned as a society with making more and more and more that we ignore the connection between each other. The Movement recognizes this, and calls for a Value shift in the way we treat each other and what we value in society.
A Resource-Based Economy is a true economy. We can have abundance without the need for money. If you haven’t watched Moving Forward, please do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z9WVZddH9w
And please read this article I wrote and submitted to Boston’s homeless publication, Spare Change.
http://keemseek.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/getting-to-the-root-of-the-problem/