Watching the twitter feed. It's good guys versus bad guys. You know, it's like sports except it fucking matters.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Arrests eminent in Boston
Friday, October 7, 2011
Goals and Outcomes
Tonight we had a planning meeting for Occupy Worcester. There were about 20 people there. We introduced ourselves and set a date for the first GA to be held Sunday at 1:30pm on the commons. We talked about process and goals. As is common for this movement throughout the world, we have a common vague goal. My explanation of it is a call for a change to the systemic ways that profits are being put before people and the planet, but I may be missing others goals in this explanation. There are myriad ways this comes about and many specific reasons why people are calling for this change. People have different ideas about how we can change this. That is what makes this movement so widespread and dynamic.
We went around the room last night explaining why we were there. I said something along the lines of needing a drastic change and and because the capitalist system didn't work. On the ride home Doug asked me what I meant by that, if I was saying I wanted a revolution. My answer was quick and unwavering: YES.
I think the root cause of this problem is the global economic system of capitalism and the ideology behind it. It pits us against each other and rewards greed. It tells us that the best thing there is, is to be rich, and the only way you can be rich is by having others under you. This capitalist, individualist ideology is what has created the situation we are in now. There is no reform that will change that.
I don't know what will come out of this movement but I know it's getting people to think. I know it's showing people they are not alone in feeling an abuse of power from above. I know it's breaking down barriers between all sorts of people. Some kind of real change will have to happen, we're too far in to turn back now.
I also thought last night about what are the differences between the movement and my own views and goals. My views on this reach wider than our country. Yes, things in our country for the not uber-rich are getting worse, but think about other countries. Think about communities that have no clean drinking water. Think about communities that have had their land or their way of life destroyed or taken away from them. Think about countries that have been at war for probably longer than I've been alive. Think about wealth inequality that far outstretches 1% having 50%. Think about the destructive practices that we use in order to feed our addictions. This, to me, is more than student debt, labor rights, greedy ass banks and backwards governments. For me, it's a hope that there can be a global respect for people and our planet.
We went around the room last night explaining why we were there. I said something along the lines of needing a drastic change and and because the capitalist system didn't work. On the ride home Doug asked me what I meant by that, if I was saying I wanted a revolution. My answer was quick and unwavering: YES.
I think the root cause of this problem is the global economic system of capitalism and the ideology behind it. It pits us against each other and rewards greed. It tells us that the best thing there is, is to be rich, and the only way you can be rich is by having others under you. This capitalist, individualist ideology is what has created the situation we are in now. There is no reform that will change that.
I don't know what will come out of this movement but I know it's getting people to think. I know it's showing people they are not alone in feeling an abuse of power from above. I know it's breaking down barriers between all sorts of people. Some kind of real change will have to happen, we're too far in to turn back now.
I also thought last night about what are the differences between the movement and my own views and goals. My views on this reach wider than our country. Yes, things in our country for the not uber-rich are getting worse, but think about other countries. Think about communities that have no clean drinking water. Think about communities that have had their land or their way of life destroyed or taken away from them. Think about countries that have been at war for probably longer than I've been alive. Think about wealth inequality that far outstretches 1% having 50%. Think about the destructive practices that we use in order to feed our addictions. This, to me, is more than student debt, labor rights, greedy ass banks and backwards governments. For me, it's a hope that there can be a global respect for people and our planet.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Reform or revolution
Just a quick thought from the train. I'm worried that a lot of supporters of this movement are aiming for reform. I think that'd just be a bandage. The reason things are like this is because we live in a system that values greed and individualism. We live in a capitalist system. This whole system is based upon the tennant that some people are uber rich and able to make money by owning the means of production. They do so by taking advantage of the workers need for money, for livelihood. I digress.
I think we need something different where work is valued, people are valued, our earth is valued and the money doesn't rule the world. If we cooperated, there would be enough to go around and we could squelch greed. But peopleare afraid what they'd have to give up. To me, I don't care. It's worth it.
Off to occupy boston tonight. There was a huge march today with the students and nurses union. They blocked off the Boa building for a while and students had a sit in on the street. Luckily without incident. Also huge march in NYC today. 20,000 marchers I heard. Going for the GA today and to get some help with occupy worcester.
I think we need something different where work is valued, people are valued, our earth is valued and the money doesn't rule the world. If we cooperated, there would be enough to go around and we could squelch greed. But peopleare afraid what they'd have to give up. To me, I don't care. It's worth it.
Off to occupy boston tonight. There was a huge march today with the students and nurses union. They blocked off the Boa building for a while and students had a sit in on the street. Luckily without incident. Also huge march in NYC today. 20,000 marchers I heard. Going for the GA today and to get some help with occupy worcester.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
New Additions
There are some new additions to speak of today.
One great big, varied addition is support from different unions, labor groups and workers in general. I've been hearing support from nurses unions, steel workers unions, pilots unions, transit workers unions, school employees, marines, etc. I heard a number somewhere around 135 from the Boston but I don't know if that means in Boston or all over. There's a sizeable list here. It's pretty impressive when the Transit Union Workers Union makes a stand and tells NYPD they will not to drive busses that are taking protesters to jail. This is so important!
Tomorrow there is also a nation wide student walk out. They are walking out of classes and joining a march all in schools over the place. Go students!
Another new addition is Occupy Worcester! There's a group working on this and we're figuring out a time to have a first meeting!
Occupy Wall Street has opened an art exhibit. How awesome!
A set back, but also a positive thing, is that Occupy Boston at Dewey Square is at capacity. So this is fantastic in that there are so many people there. It's a bummer in that my plan was to be there all weekend and I don't particularly want to spend the money to come back and forth on the T. I guess we'll give it a go.
Other good news is that Occupy Wall Street has created a document called Declaration of the Occupation of New York City. It's basically an official statement that was accepted at the General Assembly stating their mission and (still) vague goals. But it also addresses the reason for the vagueness and where they're going from there. you can read it here.
Something discouraging I've been seeing are online comments. Mostly people who agree with the basic gist of the movement that have gripes about tactics or specifics. Just on quick glance people are saying we shouldn't be looking for support of the unions, that we should be occupying a government building area, you should be doing this, you shouldn't be doing that. Democracy is messy and people are hard to please. In a way I feel that is because we are a product of our environments. It's just a a little overwhelming and chaotic.
Something to leave you with...
By Lupe Fiasco, the American rapper
Hey Moneyman the crowd is outside. The past, the future and the now is outside. The teachers and cooks and the drop-outs too. Word on the street is they looking for you…
Hey Moneyman they saying what’s the score? And how much blood have you spilled on the butcher shop floor? Those numbers keep running but what they running into? The crowd is outside and they asking of you…
Hey Moneyman Moneyman the mayor’s on the phone. He says he wants to know if all those people went home. Those momma’s and poppa’s and students and cooks. Those teachers and preachers, one second I’ll look…
Hey Moneyman Moneyman the tents are still up, the songs are still singing and the coffee’s in cups. The nights due to fall and the sun’s going down but its still a whole mess of good folks hanging ’round…
They eyes are wide and their voices are loud. Its white and black and colorless proud. The signs are big and the smiles are bright. By heaven I reckon its gone be one hell of a night!
Hey Moneyman poor Moneyman you should slip out the back. Cuz’ the forces of greed are under attack. No bombs or bullets or rocks or guns. Just hashtags and voices at the tops of their lungs!
And Moneyman Moneyman I wont need a ride. But if you need me…
You can find me outside.
By Wasalu “Lupe Fiasco” Jaco
#OccupyWallStreet
One great big, varied addition is support from different unions, labor groups and workers in general. I've been hearing support from nurses unions, steel workers unions, pilots unions, transit workers unions, school employees, marines, etc. I heard a number somewhere around 135 from the Boston but I don't know if that means in Boston or all over. There's a sizeable list here. It's pretty impressive when the Transit Union Workers Union makes a stand and tells NYPD they will not to drive busses that are taking protesters to jail. This is so important!
Tomorrow there is also a nation wide student walk out. They are walking out of classes and joining a march all in schools over the place. Go students!
Another new addition is Occupy Worcester! There's a group working on this and we're figuring out a time to have a first meeting!
Occupy Wall Street has opened an art exhibit. How awesome!
A set back, but also a positive thing, is that Occupy Boston at Dewey Square is at capacity. So this is fantastic in that there are so many people there. It's a bummer in that my plan was to be there all weekend and I don't particularly want to spend the money to come back and forth on the T. I guess we'll give it a go.
Other good news is that Occupy Wall Street has created a document called Declaration of the Occupation of New York City. It's basically an official statement that was accepted at the General Assembly stating their mission and (still) vague goals. But it also addresses the reason for the vagueness and where they're going from there. you can read it here.
Something discouraging I've been seeing are online comments. Mostly people who agree with the basic gist of the movement that have gripes about tactics or specifics. Just on quick glance people are saying we shouldn't be looking for support of the unions, that we should be occupying a government building area, you should be doing this, you shouldn't be doing that. Democracy is messy and people are hard to please. In a way I feel that is because we are a product of our environments. It's just a a little overwhelming and chaotic.
Something to leave you with...
By Lupe Fiasco, the American rapper
Hey Moneyman the crowd is outside. The past, the future and the now is outside. The teachers and cooks and the drop-outs too. Word on the street is they looking for you…
Hey Moneyman they saying what’s the score? And how much blood have you spilled on the butcher shop floor? Those numbers keep running but what they running into? The crowd is outside and they asking of you…
Hey Moneyman Moneyman the mayor’s on the phone. He says he wants to know if all those people went home. Those momma’s and poppa’s and students and cooks. Those teachers and preachers, one second I’ll look…
Hey Moneyman Moneyman the tents are still up, the songs are still singing and the coffee’s in cups. The nights due to fall and the sun’s going down but its still a whole mess of good folks hanging ’round…
They eyes are wide and their voices are loud. Its white and black and colorless proud. The signs are big and the smiles are bright. By heaven I reckon its gone be one hell of a night!
Hey Moneyman poor Moneyman you should slip out the back. Cuz’ the forces of greed are under attack. No bombs or bullets or rocks or guns. Just hashtags and voices at the tops of their lungs!
And Moneyman Moneyman I wont need a ride. But if you need me…
You can find me outside.
By Wasalu “Lupe Fiasco” Jaco
#OccupyWallStreet
Monday, October 3, 2011
Following
I've been watching this movement like a hawk. I'm glued to my twitter where people are constantly updating. There are live streams of GAs on the internet and Saturday there was a showdown in NYC. Some 500-700 people were arrested in a march on the Brooklyn Bridge. So glad the BPD is awesome and I feel for those who were arrested, but the silver lining is that this is getting us into the news - finally!
We went down yesterday with some supplies just to drop off. Pallets, a tent and a cooler. I just wanted to stay. I want to be a part of this. There were so many tents and people there. Even a friend from Worcester. I wanted to go today, but I have work and I have to come home to take the dog out. By the time I get that all done, I wouldn't be able to catch a train til 7 and I wouldn't be getting there til 8:30. If I were to catch the later train home, I wouldn't get home til probably almost 1am. And I would have missed the GA anyway. I just can't do it all but I want to be there.
I was talking to one of my residents about the protests today. He was a big business man and he has a key to the city so he's a pretty big deal. I thought he might be like, what the hell are you doing? And after he called me a hippy, he asked what we were trying to accomplish. When I told him to put people before profits he said he agreed with that. That made me pretty happy.
I'm out of work Thursday at 5 and I think we're going to head down there then, or maybe on Friday morning. I'm afraid there won't be a place to set up a tent because it looked pretty damn full yesterday. In any case, I'm interested in being there all weekend, to talk to people, to march, to be part of the GA, to continue this and help it grow. I plan on tweeting up a storm, but I dont know if I'll be able to charge my phone at all.
The news is starting to get out. The NY protests and mention of Boston were on the front page of the T&G today and I guess on the Globe as well. I've been following a reporter from the metro who's been at the protests as well and there was a spot on GBH tonight. A lot of criticism too but that's to be expected with anything. Can't let that get us down, but reading critiques is good too.
This is a pretty good article in the globe today here
We went down yesterday with some supplies just to drop off. Pallets, a tent and a cooler. I just wanted to stay. I want to be a part of this. There were so many tents and people there. Even a friend from Worcester. I wanted to go today, but I have work and I have to come home to take the dog out. By the time I get that all done, I wouldn't be able to catch a train til 7 and I wouldn't be getting there til 8:30. If I were to catch the later train home, I wouldn't get home til probably almost 1am. And I would have missed the GA anyway. I just can't do it all but I want to be there.
I was talking to one of my residents about the protests today. He was a big business man and he has a key to the city so he's a pretty big deal. I thought he might be like, what the hell are you doing? And after he called me a hippy, he asked what we were trying to accomplish. When I told him to put people before profits he said he agreed with that. That made me pretty happy.
I'm out of work Thursday at 5 and I think we're going to head down there then, or maybe on Friday morning. I'm afraid there won't be a place to set up a tent because it looked pretty damn full yesterday. In any case, I'm interested in being there all weekend, to talk to people, to march, to be part of the GA, to continue this and help it grow. I plan on tweeting up a storm, but I dont know if I'll be able to charge my phone at all.
The news is starting to get out. The NY protests and mention of Boston were on the front page of the T&G today and I guess on the Globe as well. I've been following a reporter from the metro who's been at the protests as well and there was a spot on GBH tonight. A lot of criticism too but that's to be expected with anything. Can't let that get us down, but reading critiques is good too.
This is a pretty good article in the globe today here
Why am I protesting?
Why am I protesting? Why am I here?
I am not here because I got laid off, because my house got foreclosed on or because my 401k tanked. I'm not here because I'm heavy with student debt with no job prospects on the horizon or because of anything that happened to me. I'm here because these things ARE happening to other people, because I see whole populations of people being exploited, because people and our earth are being polluted and disease ridden. I am here because I have faith that there is a better way to live; with healthy people, a healthy planet, equality, respect and solidarity.
I am not here because I got laid off, because my house got foreclosed on or because my 401k tanked. I'm not here because I'm heavy with student debt with no job prospects on the horizon or because of anything that happened to me. I'm here because these things ARE happening to other people, because I see whole populations of people being exploited, because people and our earth are being polluted and disease ridden. I am here because I have faith that there is a better way to live; with healthy people, a healthy planet, equality, respect and solidarity.
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