Occupy Vs Itself! Fight!

[dv8nation.livejournal.com]

http://news.yahoo.com/1-occupy-disarray-spirit-lives-161622760.html

NEW YORK (AP) — Occupy Wall Street began to disintegrate in rapid fashion last winter, when the weekly meetings in New York City devolved into a spectacle of fistfights and vicious arguments.

Punches were thrown and objects were hurled at moderators' heads. Protesters accused each other of being patriarchal and racist and domineering. Nobody could agree on anything and nobody was in charge. The moderators went on strike and refused to show up, followed in quick succession by the people who kept meeting minutes. And then the meetings stopped altogether.

In the city where the movement was born, Occupy was falling apart.


In it's hayday Occupy had some unrealistic souls wondering if they weren't looking at the spark of new American Revolution. After all, if there was ever a time after the Civil War when it looked like that might happen it was the Great Depression. But it didn't happen then and it certainly doesn't look like it will happen now. What was hailed as a new begaining was really a flash in the pan.

As someone who thought this exactly what would happen from the start allow me a moment to "Bwahahaha!"

But the movement is now a shadow of its mighty infancy, when a group of young people harnessed the power of a disillusioned nation and took to the streets chanting about corporate greed and inequality.

Back then it was a rallying cry, a force to be reckoned with. But as the encampments were broken up and protesters lost a gathering place, Occupy in turn lost its ability to organize.

The movement had grown too large too quickly. Without leaders or specific demands, what started as a protest against income inequality turned into an amorphous protest against everything wrong with the world.

"We were there to occupy Wall Street," Dutro says. "Not to talk about every social ill that we have."

And here we have the real nut of it. No one was really in charge and everyone ended up wanting to talk about every little gripe they had with society. As one might expect from this sort of thing the protesters started accusing anyone in the moment who disagreed about anything of being a part of the problem and yadda, yadda, yadda...

So what have we learned here? One, no matter what your agenda clear goals and actual leaders are a must. Also, that sit-ins were a stupid idea in the 60s and they're not any better an idea now. Change requires you to get off your butt.

Anyway, Occupy will twitch a bit more before it finally dies. I suppose we'll have a bit of a break before the next would-be revolution comes. Hopefully someone out there has been taking notes.

Comments

[kayjayuu.livejournal.com]

Fights? Really? Why didn't we hear about those when they were happening? Or were people (re: media) just kind of hoping that stuff would stop and Occupy would find its footing?

And $85K in assets are frozen -- why? By whom? Where is it?

Mic check!

[notmrgarrison.livejournal.com]

why? By whom? Where is it?

[vehemencet-t.livejournal.com]

Yeah the fact that almost wherever they went they were
harassed, assaulted, beaten, gassed and arrested by the state's thugs the police
has NOTHING at all to do with he break and raw nerves. Its
called COINTELPRO. Learn it.

Actually one of the biggest failures of Occupy was that too many
wanted to get concessions from the powers that be, rather than fighting to topple the system
that causes all the woes they rallied against. Too many wanted to collaborate and compromise
with the state. They wanted to experience the benefits of the 1 percent rather than abolishing
their power. And members sold out their comrades who did take risks and attack the institutions of oppression rather than being passive liberals.

actual leaders are a must

This is bullshit. Leaderless resistance was proven effective in the Spanish Civil War aswell as the Ukrainian Revolution as also was individual direct action in the ELF and AlF modern movements. Large groups of people can work toward a common goal without someone to direct them, though to avoid delegates and representatives, groups remaining face to face small is a must. Too much potential for abuse.

[dv8nation.livejournal.com]

Yeah the fact that almost wherever they went they were
harassed, assaulted, beaten, gassed and arrested by the state's thugs the police
has NOTHING at all to do with he break and raw nerves. Its
called COINTELPRO. Learn it.

Didn't stop the civil rights movement. Man up. Besides, a little tear gas is good for the sinuses.

[a-new-machine.livejournal.com]

Whatever you want to believe, Occupy was never going to be about overthrowing the system. It was about allowing more people to become middle-class participants in the system.

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

Last time I checked Franco won the Spanish Civil War and the Soviets destroyed the Ukrainian Revolution.

And unfortunately if OWS collapses due to what strengthened the Civil Rights movement, this just illustrates that contemporary progressivism has decayed relative to its precursors.

[the-rukh.livejournal.com]

No true leadership ever emerged was the reason. Why that was, might have just been circumstance, or it might have had to do with ^, who knows.

[notmrgarrison.livejournal.com]

Maybe it was that over 99% of the 99% didn't really agree/care all that much.

[korean-guy-01.livejournal.com]

It was funny when the DNC moved indoors so 0bama and the rich elite didn't have to smell them.

[fizzyland.livejournal.com]

Do you have anything intelligent to say?

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Tea Party, Occupy... "Every wonder lasts for 3 days", the local proverb says here.

And here's another one: "The caravan goes on, the dogs are barking". Meaning that no matter what people shout and protest about or organize against, the wheel keeps turning and sooner or later the politicians still get what they want.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

The difference is that the Tea Party actually challenged the institutions they believed caused the problems. Occupy couldn't be bothered.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

I've been holding onto this link (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-29/occupy-sets-wall-street-tie-up-as-protesters-face-burnout.html) for a while now. Some highlights:

Organizers said there has been more fatigue than fresh thinking this year. Occupy’s New York City General Assembly, which oversaw planning by consensus, ceased functioning in April because of infighting, ineffectiveness and low turnout, according to organizers and minutes of meetings. The group’s funds were frozen to preserve money for bail, ending most cash distributions, they said.

...

Anarchists are at the heart of Occupy, organizers said.
“In a way, the fringe is the core,” said Mushett, the novelist. “That’s where you find a huge anarchist presence.”
The movement has avoided electoral politics even as big banks pour money into Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign. Employees of financial firms account for eight of Romney’s top 10 sources of campaign cash, according to Federal Election Commission data. Occupy was built to topple the system, not reform it, said Marisa Holmes, 26, who has helped organize protests since the second meeting.

...

The combination of anarchist initiative and widespread revulsion to Wall Street that sparked the movement last year is no longer enough to drive it, according to Gitlin, whose book “Occupy Nation” was published this month. The movement needs to be “more identifiable, more available to people outside the inner circles,” he said.

At this point, calling it a "movement" implies something that never really occurred. This was, like I had been saying before, a lot of the same fringe protests we'd seen in a while, just with more camping. Misguided, misinformed, and a mistake - adios.

[hikarugenji.livejournal.com]

The movement has avoided electoral politics even as big banks pour money into Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign. Employees of financial firms account for eight of Romney’s top 10 sources of campaign cash, according to Federal Election Commission data.

And meanwhile, the plutocracy continues as banks buy politicians to keep their privatized profit, public risk system going.

you critics were the real problem, and we have them to thank for no change

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

It's sad to see how the failure of a group of people who are passionate about the problems that exist in the world seems to tickle some, including the OP.

I'm sure you and your comrades in condemnation were on the front lines at your keyboards, ready to ridicule and mock from the far sidelines of Gramma's basement. Heavy lifter's indeed. *Shakes head* the best tool is an obedient tool.

So, Mr. Gloats, are you part of the 1% (being on LJ arguing this, I doubt it) or just their toady? Didn't like their change? Start your own, and let's all mock that as well. The System Prevails. People are too dumb because their education has shredded critical thinking for "scoring well on tests". The System Worked because of people like the OP. The people are too dependent on their 'comforts' to march in the street and feel the wrath of the System's Thugs with Badges.

Or, the mockers can take the easy way. Sit back, allow The System to continue to feed off of your soul. Hear that sucking sound? That is the sound of their lifeblood, their labor being dripped out of a pacifier they willingly stuck up your ass.

Mock away. I see things differently. I see people who type the words of judgement, dismissal and envy (yes, envy. At least they got off their butts, if even for a few days. What have those critics done to make our world better?).

Enjoy your HaterAid. I hear it's bitter. Thanks for your words of encouragement, or your offer to act as a leader, instead of a slave who defends their masters to the death.

Damn, I bet even Jesus hates you guys for ankle dragging Occupy.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

Gee, is this let's be critical thinkers who'd bring the System(tm) down a new sort of fashion, or is it a far echo from the best years of Rage Against The Machine? You know, Che Guevara t-shirts and all that...

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

When did Occupy ever have a consistent enough group of people agreeing *on* a revolution to start with?

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

You want to trade rhetoricals? how many agents provocateurs infiltrated Occupy to ensure its failure? Common practice at the Presidential Conventions, G-10 and WTO. Occupy was just another threat neutralized, in my opinion.

Fear of arrest and beating, as reported by the unfiltered news sources, does not motivate one to get up, go to city hall or event their own window and shout in unified protest.

I fear you have gotten too used to the iron fist wrapped in the velvet glove around your throat. It seems almost comforting, doesn't it?

[kylinrouge.livejournal.com]

As long as they remember to vote it won't be a total waste.

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

so who to vote for...the left/right or the right/left candidate?

There is always Gary Johnson. A fantasy is that enough people will realize they have 2 choices, The System or Change.

And that Change is a third party POTUS. Only then will we see all three legs of the tripod of government steady and equal again.

[dwer.livejournal.com]

They brought focused attention to a problem. And thousands rallied last night. Occupy isn't dead.

[dv8nation.livejournal.com]

Guess we'll see. But I'm confident enough to laugh now.

[evildevil.livejournal.com]

http://www.salon.com/2012/09/17/occupy_isnt_over/

aint over until the fat lady sings, and she aint singing.

[dv8nation.livejournal.com]

Not seeing the article.

[rimpala.livejournal.com]

The banks still don't get any of my respect.

[sophia-sadek.livejournal.com]

They can probably get along pretty well without it.

[root-fu.livejournal.com]

Unless you're a wealthy 1% percenter you might want to consider that OWS is acting in your best interest in attempting to raise awareness and activism on issues relating to wage and wealth inequality.

What good does it do to laugh and celebrate when those who were fighting in your best interests fail?

[rimpala.livejournal.com]

Indeed

I mean CLEARLY, the better solution is to sit back, not give a shit, and let Wallstreet and all the other powers that be walk all over us.

*sarcasm**

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

its mighty infancy'

Its what?


Anyway, your post coincides with a substantial OWS resurgence this weekend in NYC. Odd.


Also, that sit-ins were a stupid idea in the 60s and they're not any better an idea now. Change requires you to get off your butt

They got off their butts and protested. You are asking a lot of the apathetic and anesthetized American public.

[telemann.livejournal.com]

Also, that sit-ins were a stupid idea in the 60s and they're not any better an idea now.

THEY WERE SO STUPID!!!!

[mzflux.livejournal.com]

Last night, panoramic view of thousands in Zuccotti Park.

Don't you worry though. It's just another "flash in the pan" (your words, not Yahoo's), just like those "stupid" sit-ins during the civil rights movement.

(http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/16/1132628/-Thousands-Have-Retaken-Zuccotti-Park-Ahead-of-Occupy-Wall-Street-s-One-year-Anniversary)

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

Now there you go with your inconvenient truths again!

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

Missed this bit: . Also, that sit-ins were a stupid idea in the 60s and they're not any better an idea now. Change requires you to get off your butt.

^Do you know what sit-ins were and why they were done? They weren't foolish or stupid ideas, they were directly targeted at a specific sub-variety of discrimination.

[rimpala.livejournal.com]

Do you think that OWS is the end of it?

People are still out of work and plenty pissed off out there, and I know as long as I live and breathe I will not give up supporting the 99%. I will not give in to the smug politicians and aristocracy that run this country. As far as I'm concerned, they have not won yet.

The low and middle class may be bloodied and beaten but it is not down for the count, we have to keep on fighting.

[dv8nation.livejournal.com]

This isn't about the end of people protesting the system. This is about the sputtering final days of one poorly planned movement.

[eracerhead.livejournal.com]

Of course unlike the tea party, occupiers did not have the backing of corporate and monied interests to keep them going.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

Don't know about taking notes, but I sure can see a few who are cumming in their pants as we speak.