# \#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:** 58
**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, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1141 "2011-10-26T18:20:01Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Does the general public have the right to use public spaces as they were intended to be used. And for which the people pay taxes? I respect the right to peaceably assemble and protest, but not to take over areas for weeks at a time. And you? I don’t think anyone is being denied access to the parks. You may not like that there are so many people there, but the park is still open to everyone. ---
**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, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1142 "2011-10-26T18:21:11Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Zero responsibility. You’re asking them to put themselves at greater risk against a crowd. A crowd that can easily turn into a violent mob, as happens more than rarely. Then how do you feel about the Albany police’s stance regarding their protesters? ---
**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, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1143 "2011-10-26T18:21:36Z")
> **[This Powerful Clip Is Exactly Why We Support #OccupyWallStreet](https://front.moveon.org/this-powerful-clip-is-exactly-why-we-support-occupywallstreet/?rc=fbs&id=32303-5333680-2dt_lBx)** > > We support Occupy Wall Street. Check out this awesome clip to see why you should, too. Here is a little explanation of why there are demonstrations. ---
**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, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1144 "2011-10-26T18:23:23Z")
> **[This Powerful Clip Is Exactly Why We Support #OccupyWallStreet](https://front.moveon.org/this-powerful-clip-is-exactly-why-we-support-occupywallstreet/?rc=fbs&id=32303-5333680-2dt_lBx)** > > We support Occupy Wall Street. Check out this awesome clip to see why you should, too. Here is a little explanation of why there are demonstrations. ---
**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, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1145 "2011-10-26T18:23:27Z")
> [@](#): > > …the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances… Pretty much says it, doesn’t it? ---
**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, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1146 "2011-10-26T18:25:15Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Zero responsibility. You’re asking them to put themselves at greater risk against a crowd. A crowd that can easily turn into a violent mob, as happens more than rarely. Been there, what, a month in some cases? But going to turn violent any second now? Mind if we call you “Stretch”? ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1147 "2011-10-26T18:25:52Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > [Unsuit Wall Street](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/26/1029382/-Unsuit-Wall-Street?detail=hide) > > Bit of droll humor from our good friends at _Daily Kos_ A not-so-funny update from your friends: [**BREAKING PHOTOS: Images CONTRADICT Oakland PD Press Release on Rubber Bullets**](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/26/1030222/-BREAKING-PHOTOS:-Images-CONTRADICT-Oakland-PD-Press-Release-on-Rubber-Bullets) That said, take heart my American brethren for 'tis true that The People, United, Will Never Be Defeated: [**Los Invencibles de la plaza Cataluña 27/05/2011**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiW-NesA-YM&feature=related) I have nothing but utmost admiration for each and everyone of you, willing to take a beating in the hope of making this world just a little bit fairer for all of us – even the scum that belittle & insult you from the comfort of their private citadels. Here’s hoping that sooner rather than later their walls come tumbling down, for when they do, they’ll be finally able to see past their personal blinders. Perhaps then, reason & justice will finally prevail. One World. ---
**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, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1148 "2011-10-26T18:32:18Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Were you there? I’m going to take a WAG and say no. I was. If you believe there were rocks and bottles thrown, maybe I could interest you in some dick-lengthening pills, because you obviously believe whatever people are selling you to further their own self-interest. The police chief also claimed no rubber bullets were used, a bald-faced fucking lie with eyewitnesses and photos to disprove it. I’m not shocked you right-wing shills are OK with all this, of course (though it would probably be different if it happened at a Tea Party rally). Scumbags do tend to stick together. I believe the reports in the newspaper (SJ Merc, in this case) over an anonymous poster on a MB. ---
**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, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1149 "2011-10-26T18:35:43Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I believe the reports in the newspaper (SJ Merc, in this case) over an anonymous poster on a MB. Fine, then let’s see some video. Hell, even some photos. Plenty of video/photos of the tear gas canisters being thrown (and rubber bullet wounds), but I have yet to see any rock/bottle throwing. And the press was covering every square inch of that shit. ---
**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, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1150 "2011-10-26T18:38:16Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I believe the reports in the newspaper (SJ Merc, in this case) over an anonymous poster on a MB. Can you link to the story? Here is SJ Merc saying police used flashbangs which is contradictory to the police statement issued. “Here is a video of the Flashbangs being used by Oakland Police to disperse the crowds of protesters.” [http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci\_19197319?nclick\_check=1](http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19197319?nclick_check=1) ---
**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, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1151 "2011-10-26T18:42:33Z")
It appears that posting a link on the Dope is a sure way to crash a server. Cool. Let them hate us, so long as they fear us! ---
**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, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1152 "2011-10-26T18:46:57Z")
[SJ Merc Article, updated.](http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_19197518) > [@](#): > > At one of the most tense moments near Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, sparks from explosives thrown at police by protesters and tear gas canisters could be seen exploding over the scattering crowd. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1153 "2011-10-26T18:49:02Z")
> [@](#): > > …the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances… > [@elucidator](#): > > Pretty much says it, doesn’t it? C’mon 'luci, you’re better than that. Well, at least, supposedly, you’re better than that. ---
**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, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1154 "2011-10-26T18:52:30Z")
Says who? I’m a blackguard, a scoundrel and a despoiler of maidenly virtue. I simply happen to hold advanced and progressive political views. A saving disgrace, as it were. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1155 "2011-10-26T18:53:00Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > [SJ Merc Article, updated.](http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_19197518) > [@](#): > > “We had to deploy gas to stop people from throwing rocks and bottles at police,” > **said Interim Police Chief Howard Jordan** , adding that he was unsure about what other crowd control methods were used by outside police agencies. There were unconfirmed reports that flash-bang grenades and wood dowels were launched at protesters. > > … > > Protesters tried to hold police off with firecrackers, a fire extinguisher, the Police Department’s own barriers, metal Dumpsters, and even the City Hall Christmas wreath, **police and protesters said**. One man walked around carrying a giant shield he had fashioned out of duct tape. > > **One officer said that** during the camp shutdown, protesters threw bottles, skillets, other kitchen utensils and rocks at police. They also “threw plates at us like Frisbees,” the officer said. Police confirmed that protesters had set off a fire extinguisher and several low-level explosives to try to deter oncoming police. Emphasis mine. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1156 "2011-10-26T18:59:10Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Says who? I’m a blackguard, a scoundrel and a despoiler of maidenly virtue. I simply happen to hold advanced and progressive political views. A saving disgrace, as it were. It’s a fair cop, the actual performance of 'luci is a bit of a let down and disappointment. Progressive? Ok, as a label… Advanced? Hold up there, feller. Ain’t seen much of that 'round these parts. Besides aren’t you and Gonz sympatico? Yeah, might want to go and re-evaluate that whole use of the word “advanced”. ---
**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, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1157 "2011-10-26T18:59:41Z")
> [@](#): > > …There were unconfirmed reports that flash-bang grenades and wood dowels were launched at protesters… Warning! Any pun, jape, jest or snark that connects the words “dowel” and “movement” will be prosecuted to the utmost severity. ---
**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, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1158 "2011-10-26T18:59:54Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Emphasis mine. My point exactly. Unlike the SJ Merc, I’m not ready to take the police’s word for why they deployed tear gas at face value. I certainly didn’t see anything thrown - just cops warning that they were preparing to use force and then tear gas. Pics or it didn’t happen. ---
**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, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1159 "2011-10-26T19:01:16Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Emphasis mine. One thing that jumped out at me was this (bolding mine): ““We had to deploy gas to stop people from throwing rocks and bottles at police,” Advertisement said Interim Police Chief Howard Jordan, adding that he was **unsure about what other crowd control methods were used by outside police agencies.** There were unconfirmed reports that flash-bang grenades and wood dowels were launched at protesters.” They aren’t even sure what was used on the protesters? ---
**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, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851/1160 "2011-10-26T19:08:30Z")
“…outside police agencies…”? What was this, Copstock? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851.md?page=57) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupywallstreet/596851.md?page=59)