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Forum Post: Infiltration to Disrupt, Divide and Misdirect Is Widespread in Occupy

Posted 10 years ago on Jan. 24, 2014, 11:33 p.m. EST by go4broke (120)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Recently it was brought to my attention that there are people who are trying hard to co-opt Occupy for nefarious reasons. I usually don't read most of the links that this poster puts up, but I'm glad I read this one (and I went on to read several more concerning the same subject) which as you can see from the title is about infiltration of the Occupy movement. And it isn't that I was unaware that this was going on, it's just it reminded me of how prevalent it is.

"As Part II of this discussion will show, infiltration is the norm in political movements in the United States. Occupy has many opponents likely to infiltrate to divide and destroy it beyond the usual law enforcement apparatus. Other detractors include the corporations whose rule Occupy seeks to end; conservative right-wing groups allied with corporate interests; and members of the power structure including nonprofit oganizations linked with corporate-funded political parties, especially the Democratic Party, which would like Occupy to be its tea party rather than an independent movement critiical of both parties."...my emphasis

..."Some may wonder why Democrats or groups closely affiliated with the Democrats, such as MoveOn.org, Campaign for America's Future, Rebuild the Dream or unions like the SEIU, would want to infiltrate Occupy. (Note: Indviduals who are Democrats or members of a union, MoveOn or other groups are not the same as the leadershiip). Essentially, leaders of these groups see Occupy as the Democrats potential answer to the tea party. Occupiers do not see themselves that way, but these movements want them to adopt their strategy of working within the Democratic Party."

Instead Occupiers want to "build an independent movement to challenge the corrupt system." This... while the infiltrators make excuses for the Democrats who have betrayed us. And some of the infiltrators like Van Jones of Rebuild The Dream even position themselves as Occupy spokespersons adopting the Occupy lingo, and doing their best to drag Occupy into the Democratic Party where it will join the corrupt duopoly and become spineless. This infiltration also extends into social media, facebook pages, etc.!....my emphasis & my words

"Infiltration has been common in political movements for centuries, as have divisive methods, attacks on leaders, escalation of tactics, fight over money and misinformation disseminated to the public." Some of those methods include character assasination, e.g, "I know you are a liar," and anger along with profanity aimed at anyone who disagrees with their partisan agenda. These kind of attacks are usually reserved for those who are most recalcitrant to the attempted co-option of Occupy, and they are usually repeated over and over and over again without being elaborated on, with the idea that if they say it enough, it will become true in the minds of others, and also to keep the target of their assault on the defensive. It is a very common tactic to defame someone who wants systemic change in the hopes of ostracizing that person and to cause turmoil within the movement, and it has been used by the corrupt elite, including those political parties and their minions who keep them in power for eons in the hope of retaining the power of the corrupt status quo....my emphasis & words again

Edit;, 5:30 pm, 1/25/14 - From the early mixed reaction I have gotten from my thread, I realized that it was incomplete so I would like to add the below comment which is based on my research and experience.

Some of the people who would like to co-opt Occupy (Democrats mostly from what I can see) have a real penchant to lump people whose ideals are very close to Occupy's .....with right-wing zealots and groups, who like some Democrats are trying to destroy this movement, by besmirching Occupiers with all sorts nasty names and innuendos in trying to link the two.

From disingenuously lumping these two very adversarial groups together, the co-opters want people to come away with the false and foolish notion that they, the Democrats in most cases, and ONLY THEY are the true Occupiers and hence viable alternative to the corrupt system we now have.. End of Edit

Although I have somewhat of an adversarial relationship with the poster who originally put this link up, I would like to thank him for doing so.

http://m.truthdig.com/report/item/infiltration_to_disrupt_divide_and_misdirect_20120224

57 Comments

57 Comments


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[-] 4 points by shadz66 (19985) 10 years ago

Re. this thread, I'm just going to put this down here gently & walk away quickly and quietly ..

multum in parvo ...

[-] 0 points by go4broke (120) 10 years ago

Thanks, that was a very informative link on how we can become co-opted or crushed by the corrupt elite and how we can combat it. And in particular for me it provides more valuable insight on the MO of the neocon elite's minions who are intent at embedding this movement in one of the two parties in the duopoly.

[-] 2 points by RadicalsUnite (94) 10 years ago

all inclusive means acceptance of the status quo, many democrats helped make this possible. teaching is a full time job when the cats are herding.

[-] 2 points by RadicalsUnite (94) 10 years ago

disrupters have proven to be true, we all know this

[-] 1 points by go4broke (120) 10 years ago

Edit was made on this thread. Look towards the bottom. If anyone chooses to withdraw their support, or even their denunciation of this thread, that's understandable.

[-] 3 points by gsw (3407) from Woodbridge Township, NJ 10 years ago

I would say this is a valid poInt, here

many sympathetic with occupy have often labeled as rightist Koch whores, ....

a spectrum of ideas and thought made the site more informative, once, the debates more engaged and enlightening, but soon, with the presidential election, the democratic sympathizers seemed to become a majority on this site, as the lesser evil argument was powerful, and the shrils became more subtle

Iinfighting of people who mostly agree on most big issues, and the name calling, and repeated lies, gets old fast here, and has driven many away.

But this site has little to do with occupy, as one has always been pointed out, it is a shadow of occupy, and an important light to finding non mainstream media and non corporate propaganda.

Shining a light on Monsanto,on coal trains, and oil polluters, on phone metadata gatherers, on Koch machinery, on banksters, these issues go beyond party loyalties and unite good thinking Americans.

Yes one party is worse than the other, by 10 times,

But we should seek for common ground where possible, and not be cooped by any party, obviously.

Eventually occupy concerns will become common sense of a majority, it was in the beginning, and that is why it was quashed by Obama, and the power elites

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

You can thank me more for this, more accurate one too, as they completely ignored the more dangerous and well funded threat of the libe(R)tarians.

http://occupywallst.org/forum/how-right-wing-libertarians-john-birchers-and-cons/

The forum was/is even worse.

http://occupywallst.org/forum/wall-street-libertarians-have-co-opted-this-forum/

or perhaps you are the sympathizer I suspect you are?

Hey?

Have you ever heard of Florida?

You should see what's happened there.

http://www.rickscottwatch.blogspot.com/

It's amazing, how well ignored that important link is.

.

[-] 0 points by beautifulworld (23769) 10 years ago

Right, even the most left wing people, who, for instance, are staunch socialists, are often called right wing here. It's pretty funny and ridiculous.

[-] 1 points by go4broke (120) 10 years ago

Anyone whose views are closer to Occupy's has been accused of being a right-winger of some sort. Objective; keep 'em on the defensive.

[-] 1 points by RadicalsUnite (94) 10 years ago

topic change is rapid on this site, even a thread with important thoughts will be changed in responses and questions and attacks begin. the internet is tough on synergy.

[-] 0 points by go4broke (120) 10 years ago

I'm trying to keep on "topic" here 'cause I put the thread up. lol But having the topic naturally morph into another one isn't so bad I don't think.

[-] 0 points by RadicalsUnite (94) 10 years ago

roman strategy is our biggest obstacle to any political change, lots of believers

[-] 0 points by RadicalsUnite (94) 10 years ago

everyone is welcome and most everyone agrees on the problems, the solutions are different and yet agreement on the problems is the starting point and the starting point was stopped.

[-] 0 points by go4broke (120) 10 years ago

The "solutions" are often different by design not by conscience.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Really?

You borrowed this after I posted the original from a year or two ago ion another thread?

Shameless!

( It makes me think my suspicion about your former username are correct, but we'll see)

It's OK. it was a trick posting anyway.

Did you notice what was conspicuous in it's absence?

There was never any danger of a liberal co-option, they can't stick together on much of anything.

It's been proven.

what's conspicuous in it's absence are the libe(R)tarian's that were everywhere in the early days. I've rad reposts that say trhey still are.

I know they were here on the forum in force in those early days, and they spent a lot of time attacking the liberals here.

Remember Ron Lawl?

No doubt they did the same thing on various Occupies..

Therein lies the REAL co-option and I believe, with the money and skills that faction has always been willing to spend, a successful one.

Just look at how many return here as puppets even now.

They come here and scream out all their anti union bullshit and how Occupy has nothing to do with them.

They come here and shout about guns rights, even though Occupy marched and had vigils for Travon Martin.

Lies.

Occupy Detroit has been supported by the Teamsters all along..

Now the the danger was always from the libe(R)tarins.

There was a guy who used to post here, that was in the employ of a libe(R)tarian federalist think tank.

He was strongly anti-union, although he would never admit it..

He would also occasionally post from the John Birch Society as well.

http://occupywallst.org/forum/how-right-wing-libertarians-john-birchers-and-cons/

You may not remember, but I do.

[-] 2 points by go4broke (120) 10 years ago

Your comment is rather 'loquacious' (I love that word too!) Did I spell it correctly?

You have met much of the criteria of a co-opter in that comment!! Thanks for that. The defense rests!

Did I not give you enough credit for putting that wonderful link up on how people, mostly Democrats are trying to co-opt Occupy. So sorry...Thank You, Thank You..;-)

I see your little men were hard at work early this morning as reflected in the BCs of the day, and non-partisans' scores plummeting. Good work! Things are back under control, eh?! lol

[-] 3 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 10 years ago

In complement, another article dealing with the co-option and surveillance of activist groups:

http://www.popularresistance.org/open-letter-to-ows-you-were-right-all-along/

An article as inspiring as it is informative.

[-] 3 points by go4broke (120) 10 years ago

Good post, and link which I remembered reading in part a while back, but I could not find it when I was doing my research for the thread. Thanks

[-] 2 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 10 years ago

I've been meaning to put that 'open letter' in a post of its own, but haven't had the time lately to devote to forum posts, with the exception of the GMO post I'm about to put up soon.

What I find interesting about threads of this nature, is seeing who shows up when, and what they have to say. It's usually very telling.

[-] 0 points by RadicalsUnite (94) 10 years ago

no nee to go for broke unless this is it

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

You missed something VERY important.

what that article failed to report.

http://occupywallst.org/forum/how-right-wing-libertarians-john-birchers-and-cons/

they've been here for while too.

http://occupywallst.org/forum/wall-street-libertarians-have-co-opted-this-forum/

Can I expect you to give us informed, cogent and precise commentary on this even more effective co-option?

Or were you part of it, and so won't comment at all?

[-] 0 points by RadicalsUnite (94) 10 years ago

the trickery of all inclusive continues, some believe it is incredible, others believe it is evil. how much do numbers matter is the question?

[-] -1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

So then you admit you're Bircher?

I'm not surprised in the least.

It's place where being incomprehensible is way of life.

You fit 'right" in.

[-] 0 points by RadicalsUnite (94) 10 years ago

do you support all inclusive?

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Thanks for your admission........:)

It's one that lends credence to this.

http://occupywallst.org/forum/how-right-wing-libertarians-john-birchers-and-cons/

http://occupywallst.org/forum/wall-street-libertarians-have-co-opted-this-forum/

Good to know. You probably really like Alex too.

You know in all the videos of the early days of OWS, I can't recall seeing any Obama signs, but I damn sure did see Ron Lawl signs, along with signs about his pet project "end the fed".......

The simple fact that have ignored this, means you've done so deliberately.

So no, I have no use for Birchers. Nor does OWS.

[-] 2 points by RadicalsUnite (94) 10 years ago

what do birch trees believe in? do ou support the federal reserve?

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[-] -2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

KISS 4 U then.

By ignoring the facts of libe(R)tarian co-option I've provided, I am forced to surmise that you supported and likely promoted it.

You have no defense, only reality.

What did you say your old username around here was?

[-] -1 points by tabletennis (77) from New York, NY 10 years ago

The NYCGA and other general assemblies were mostly infiltrated by Democrats. Nowadays, they shamelessly use the Occupy name for their groups and campaigns. We called them the DDs when we saw them arrive at general assemblies: Despicable Democrats.

[-] 1 points by go4broke (120) 10 years ago

I agree with your comments with the obvious exception in saying that there are a lot of good Democrats who simply do not understand what has and continues to go on, namely their selling out of the people for $pecial interests. They in many instances were us before our awakening. The Democrats who have set their sights on co-opting Occupy though are the apologists who know better, but have an agenda to carry out.

Top 45 Lies in Obama's Speech at the UN

You are a welcome new addition and I hope you to stay as there are a lot of good people here who appreciate you being kindred spirit, but you will have to learn to play hard-ball as you can see. So I urge you to do so without getting in the gutter with them.

I will answer some of my less supportive comments ;-) later as I have stuff to do today. "DD", I like that.

[-] 1 points by RadicalsUnite (94) 10 years ago

when dd needs to get in bed with powerful criminals to win a election for a spot in a mixture of bullets and banks, we have crash landed and the decay is here to stay

[-] 0 points by go4broke (120) 10 years ago

Agreed the DD in the White House got there via huge bribes from the banking industry which flourishes in WAR, but we must never give up hope. Previous generations didn't.

[-] 0 points by tabletennis (77) from New York, NY 10 years ago

Good points about the Democrats. Fully agree. I don't like petty fights, so I will simply ignore those that just want to harass me. Take care.

[-] -1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Your insinuations about me are exactly petty.

I don't want to fight either.

I just expect you to prove what you are insinuating.

Not to do so , IS supporting petty fighting.

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[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Who's still there?

Seems to me I've heard this before.

Who did you say your other username was?

Did you watch or join in all the attacks on liberals on this web site?

[-] -2 points by tabletennis (77) from New York, NY 10 years ago

Who's still where? What? No other username friend.

[-] -2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Are you daft?

libe(R)tarians are still there.

They're still here.

Who no comment on the (proven) fact that liberals don't stick together very well?

Why no comment on this?

http://occupywallst.org/forum/how-right-wing-libertarians-john-birchers-and-cons/

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[-] 0 points by tabletennis (77) from New York, NY 10 years ago

Hey friend, I don't come here to fight. I didn't know what "where" you were talking about. I commented about the NYCGA, not this website. I'm not interested in having a convo with someone who calls me "daft". Since I joined Occupy, my #1 rule has been - create a community and foster understanding even through disagreements. Insults are for children, not occupiers. Bye my friend.

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[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

If you didn't, when why is it you're avoiding commenting on libe(R)tarian co-option?

And then after playing dumb to a simple question, you call me childish, while still avoiding answering that simple question?

Indeed by proxy it would indicate a co-option by (R)epelican't forces, as that's who libe(R)tarians often pretend to be in REAL life.

The sad part, is you don't remember the hard push by libe(R)tarians to co-opt this very web site.

[-] 1 points by tabletennis (77) from New York, NY 10 years ago

I haven't seen co-option attempts by the right. I don't think it would be possible really. The right wing are too different from basic Occupy concepts. They couldn't fool anyone. What I have seen from the right is the attempt to insult Occupy, to make us look like fools. They tried to ruin our image in the mass media by making us look like uncleaned hippies.

The Democrats are an entirely different animal. Republicans know what they want, they just want something really dumb - really to the right. Democrats know what they want, but don't realize the Democrat party will never give that to them. Democrats are often deluded. They think Obama cares about the people, that he's a socialist, etc... They basically think Democrats are very similar to Occupy in ideology. They really are not. Democrats are 1%ers who just want to make money and gain power.

That's why the democrats are a danger for co-option, but the right really isn't. Some people remain fooled to this day in thinking that Obama is a socialist. He's a right winger.

[-] -3 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

You didn't see it, because it already happened.

You've still not commented on the information on libe(R)tarian co-option.

Why are you ignoring the obvious?

Why are you using this a divisive technique?

If you' like so many others are not here to further divide?

did yuo also miss the organized coalion that attacked liberals opn this very web site?

It was a savage attack, that left this site reeling after an attack by gun nutters on the heels of Sandy Hook.

did you miss that too?.

[-] 3 points by tabletennis (77) from New York, NY 10 years ago

I'm sorry, I have not seen right wingers try to or take control of Occupy. I have seen them insult Occupy, but not try to take control of it. I have seen Democrats try to take over the NYCGA and other general assemblies, and have seen some Democrat groups use the term Occupy to make their campaigns.

You seem obsessed with protecting the Democrats from criticism? Do you not agree that Obama and his friends are part of the 1%?

Please try to use a nicer tone, or I will have to stop our exchange. You seem vindictive for some reason. We can agree to disagree. No need to get angry or to insult an occupier who does not see things your way. I'm not sure why you insinuate that I have some bad intentions. I do not. Just learning and exchanging ideas.

Take your morning coffee and you'll feel better.

[-] -1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Like I said and you ignored, that's because they already did.

It's you who's insinuating.

You should stop that now.

I guess you missed a lot?

So where does your ill-informed opinion originate?

According to some.

We are all part of the 1%.

Do you know what faction made that accusation?

Please stop putting words in my mouth and making those insinuations.

Will you address ANY of the questions and facts I've put at your disposal?

[-] 3 points by tabletennis (77) from New York, NY 10 years ago

You're making my head spin mate. Not sure what your deal is. I'm not here to fight. See you later.

[-] -2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

So you just came here to talk about tiny houses and attack liberals, and make insinuations about me?

That's all you've done so far.

Here.

Comment on this.

http://occupywallst.org/forum/how-right-wing-libertarians-john-birchers-and-cons/

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[-] -2 points by tabletennis (77) from New York, NY 10 years ago

Don't call other occupiers "idiot". We gotta stick together. We don't have to think the same to avoid insults. Great minds can accept and tolerate differences without insulting them. If you have to insult someone, insult Democrats, not occupiers. Come on man!

[-] -2 points by tabletennis (77) from New York, NY 10 years ago

Both the Democrats and the Republicans have "that tenuous grasp on the reins of power". In fact, since OWS started, the Democrats have had a tighter grip on power. OWS as always fought against a Democrat White House after all.

The Democrats are not closely aligned to OWS at all. Very different philosophies. The Democrats are much more closely aligned with the Republicans than with OWS.

Anyways, we have seen countless times how dangerous the Democrats can be as an infiltrator of Occupy. There are some groups on Facebook who use the Occupy name to further their Democrat agendas. A real shame.

We're both OWS supporters, so I guess we can both agree that the Democrats and the Republicans are both really bad.

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[-] 1 points by gsw (3407) from Woodbridge Township, NJ 10 years ago

Occupy was shut down by someone? Who

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2011/11/pers-n17.html

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[-] 5 points by gsw (3407) from Woodbridge Township, NJ 10 years ago

You don't waste your breath on this issue.

Global warming is huge. We should have put solar on every American home with electric or coal heat.

Still could.

I most agree with you, )

Probably coopting tthe democrats is as good an idea as any other at this time.

Thanks for restating your position for me one more time.

Peace, and love... I did up vote your above comments.

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[-] -1 points by IBringYouTruthsRelaxAndListen (18) from Union City, NJ 10 years ago

Go back to your Democrap site you Occupy co-opting dork troll!

" And here I am again - wasting my breath. insane.

You're paid by the dems, so hardly a waste. More like your duty as an Occupy dork troll.

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[-] -2 points by tabletennis (77) from New York, NY 10 years ago

I remember well. At the NYCGA, the Democrats tried to co-opt us while the Rebuplicans tried to make us look bad in the media. From my experience, the Democrats are the most dangerous. The Republicans know they have no chance to co-opt us so they just spit on us. Unfortunately, many occupiers are confused about the Democrats. They confuse them with socialists and generally good people.They are the more sneaky 1%.