# \#OccupyWallStreet **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 19, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851 "2011-09-19T18:27:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 55
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1081 "2011-10-25T18:22:07Z")
[This Powerful Clip Is Exactly Why We Support #OccupyWallStreet](http://front.moveon.org/this-powerful-clip-is-exactly-why-we-support-occupywallstreet/?rc=fbs&id=32303-5333680-2dt_lBx) here is Elizabeth Warren trying to teach you the facts in the face of right wing propaganda. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1082 "2011-10-25T18:53:26Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > What’s supposed to be done? Should Occupy Detroit be fanning out into the neighborhoods to drag people to the protest? And AAs may be underrepresented at OD, but they were practically non-existent at Tea Party rallies. Bringing up the fact that there isn’t an EXACT PROPORTION of black to white at these rallies is concern trollery of the highest order. I was being sarcastic. But I guess I am the victim of some internet law that makes the distinction hard to distinguish. I could care less about the racial makeup of the crowd, but I think that diversity might say soemthing about the underlying support base. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1083 "2011-10-25T18:55:21Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > Huh? They are speaking for the 99% OF THE NATION who hold 58% of the wealth. Unless you are saying the 1% is disproportionally Detroit African-Americans (which I really, really, really hope you are not) then I would expect the demographic makeup of this group’s Detroit rally be more reflective of that 99% that they claim to speaking for. > > Unless , of course, this is another bullshit “movement” where a small group of douchebags assume to know better than their peers and assume to speak for and declare their representation of that subset of people. OR, black folks are disengaged ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1084 "2011-10-25T18:57:02Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > Exactly. Suddenly the (presumably) conservative objection is that 50% of those actively involved isn’t black enough to count as legitimately representative? Good rule to know. > > As is the case with nearly all the objections to the protests anyone has bothered to make explicit, we have a choice between calling this one stupid or just flat dishonest. How could anyone possibly have taken that post this seriously. I mean WTF. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1085 "2011-10-25T18:58:16Z")
I don’t know. How seriously did I take it? ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1086 "2011-10-25T19:00:31Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > "…They are the 1 percent. They are the banks, the mortgage industry, the insurance industry. They are the important ones. They need help and get bailed out and are praised as job creators. We need help and get nothing and are called entitled. We live in a society made for them, not for us. It’s their world, not ours. If we’re lucky, they’ll let us work in it so long as we don’t question the extent of their charity. > > **We are the 99 percent. We are everyone else. And we will no longer be silent. It’s time the 1 percent got to know us a little better.** On Sept. 17, 2011, the 99 percent will converge on Wall Street to let the 1 percent know just how frustrated they are with living in a world made for someone else. Let us know why you’ll be there. Let us know how you are the 99 percent." > > [http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/Introduction](http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/Introduction) That entire website is made up of people who belong to “the 99%” telling their personal stories, not people saying they represent other people’s viewpoints. The biggest complaint about OWS is that they don’t have a list of demands or a specific goal. You can’t simultaneously argue that they have no clear agenda and that they’re saying that 99% of Americans support their agenda. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1087 "2011-10-25T19:30:22Z")
> [@C3](#): > > That entire website is made up of people who belong to “the 99%” telling their personal stories, not people saying they represent other people’s viewpoints. The biggest complaint about OWS is that they don’t have a list of demands or a specific goal. You can’t simultaneously argue that they have no clear agenda and that they’re saying that 99% of Americans support their agenda. Seriously? That quote I gave you is on a page, linked to from the main We Are the 99% site, titled “Allow Us to Introduce Ourselves”. It is not “the 99% telling their personal stories”. That site, as a whole, is, also, linked to from the mission statement found on the front page of Occupy Wall Street ([http://occupywallst.org/](http://occupywallst.org/)). The quote I provided is, for lack of a better word, the mission statement of “We Are the 99%”. It is not some flip personal statement from one it’s members. If you are saying you can’t see this then you are lying to me, lying to yourself or willfully obtuse. None of these reflect well on you. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1088 "2011-10-25T19:33:22Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > OR, black folks are disengaged [insert your own racist unwed-motherhood joke here] ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Smashy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mr\_Smashy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Smashy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1089 "2011-10-25T20:11:51Z")
I like the [message of the 1%](http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6633406/we-are-the-1) better. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1090 "2011-10-25T21:44:52Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I support the New York Yankees and the Mets: hey, it’s a living. “Dyin’ ain’t much of a living, boy.” ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1091 "2011-10-26T03:52:33Z")
> [@C3](#): > > That entire website is made up of people who belong to “the 99%” telling their personal stories, not people saying they represent other people’s viewpoints. The biggest complaint about OWS is that they don’t have a list of demands or a specific goal. You can’t simultaneously argue that they have no clear agenda and that they’re saying that 99% of Americans support their agenda. There is more than one factor bringing people downtown. For some it is the foreclosures. Others the income disparity. Others are there for the banks destroying the economy. There are some who want Glass/Steagall and other regulation reinstalled. Some hate the skyrocketing cost of education with the killing government aid. Many want banks to quit exhorbitant fees and interest rates. They all want a fairer playing field. They all want people to pay for their crimes. You will not get one message because the banks caused damage at many levels. Much or the pain is personal. people lost homes, but not all of them did. People lost jobs ,but not all. Not everyone downtown has student loans . ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1092 "2011-10-26T04:46:25Z")
> [@Sinaptics](#): > > I’ve been waiting all day for this to hit the news sites and as of yet, not a single mention that I can find. You’d think it’d make the news when the police start using flashbangs and such against American protesters. Well, they just did it again (twice) to the Oakland protesters. I left before the teargassing started, but as soon as I heard them announce “You have 9 minutes to disperse or we will use force” I knew it was coming. Fucking thugs. If this was happening in some other country, we’d denounce it as barbaric. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Smashy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mr\_Smashy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Smashy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1093 "2011-10-26T13:56:39Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Well, they just did it again (twice) to the Oakland protesters. I left before the teargassing started, but as soon as I heard them announce “You have 9 minutes to disperse or we will use force” I knew it was coming. Fucking thugs. If this was happening in some other country, we’d denounce it as barbaric. [They broke the law](http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/police-said-to-fire-tear-gas-at-protesters-in-oakland-calif/), they got what was coming to them. I know that living with the consequences of your actions and choices isn’t big on the left, but that’s the real world. > [@](#): > > The clashes on Tuesday night occurred after the police removed about 170 demonstrators _ **who had been staying in the area after being warned that such a camp was illegal and that they faced arrest if they remained** _, the police said in a statement. City officials said 97 people were arrested in the morning raid. (emphasis mine) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1094 "2011-10-26T14:00:08Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Well, they just did it again (twice) to the Oakland protesters. I left before the teargassing started, but as soon as I heard them announce “You have 9 minutes to disperse or we will use force” I knew it was coming. Fucking thugs. If this was happening in some other country, we’d denounce it as barbaric. I agree. Protesters throwing rocks, bottles and other objects at police is barbaric. They are lucky they live in a civilized country where tear gas is used instead of bullets. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1095 "2011-10-26T14:35:20Z")
So, if **Gonzo** is my political ally, I reckon **Smashy** is yours? Seems fair. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1096 "2011-10-26T14:44:28Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > So, if **Gonzo** is my political ally, I reckon **Smashy** is yours? Seems fair. I honesty hardly ever read any of his posts. That’s because I’d be embarrassed to have him as an ally on any issue, if he is. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaptics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1097 "2011-10-26T14:49:20Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I agree. Protesters throwing rocks, bottles and other objects at police is barbaric. They are lucky they live in a civilized country where tear gas is used instead of bullets. I’d say the same thing about police using rubber bullets and flashbangs on people clearly trying to help an injured person. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player\_embedded&v=QqNOPZLw03Q](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QqNOPZLw03Q) When is civil disobedience acceptable in your view? Never? Does violation of a park curfew EVER deserve this kind of response? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1098 "2011-10-26T14:51:03Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] So, if Gonzo is my political ally, I reckon Smashy is yours? Seems fair. [/QUOTE] Considering that you and the Gonz are closer on most subject than John is to Smashy on nearly ANY subject, I’m missing the ‘fair’ aspect of the comparison. Seems ‘full of straw’ to me, but I’m sure it makes sense to you, 'luci. -XT ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1099 "2011-10-26T14:52:24Z")
> [@Sinaptics](#): > > I’d say the same thing about police using rubber bullets and flashbangs on people clearly trying to help an injured person. > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player\_embedded&v=QqNOPZLw03Q](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QqNOPZLw03Q) > When is civil disobedience acceptable in your view? Never? Does violation of a park curfew EVER deserve this kind of response? Civil disobedience is fine. But you know what happens when you do it? You run the risk of going to jail and/or having your protest broken up by the police. That’s the point. If you’re not “disobeying” something (usually a law), then you’re not engaged in civil disobedience. If the people are sympathetic to your cause, you will be doing a service to said cause. If they are not, then you are tilting at windmills. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1100 "2011-10-26T14:54:23Z")
[QUOTE=Sinaptics] I’d say the same thing about police using rubber bullets and flashbangs on people clearly trying to help an injured person. [/QUOTE] I didn’t see any rubber bullets, but what I did notice is that objects were flying in both directions, and that the injured person was one of those throwing stuff at the police. -XT [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851.md?page=54) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851.md?page=56)