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We are the 99 percent

Snowden was recently asked about Occupy Wall Street. Here's what he said

Posted 9 years ago on Oct. 28, 2014, 10:07 a.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Tags: Theory, Snowden

An excerpt from: http://www.thenation.com/article/186129/snowden-exile-exclusive-interview

+++

The Nation: When was the last time civil disobedience brought about change?

Edward Snowden: Occupy Wall Street.

The Nation: One of us might disagree with you. Arguably, Occupy was a very important initiative, but it was soon vaporized.

Edward Snowden: I believe strongly that Occupy Wall Street had such limits because the local authorities were able to enforce, basically in our imaginations, an image of what proper civil disobedience is--one that is simply ineffective. All those people who went out missed work, didn't get paid. Those were individuals who were already feeling the effects of inequality, so they didn't have a lot to lose. And then the individuals who were louder, more disruptive and, in many ways, more effective at drawing attention to their concerns were immediately castigated by authorities. They were cordoned off, pepper-sprayed, thrown in jail.

126 Comments

126 Comments


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[-] 8 points by ShadzSixtySix (1936) 9 years ago

Maybe jart could ask Snowden a few things by super-duper, hyper-secure, multi-pinged, VPN, dark-web means & see if he is a 'benevolent dictator' but in the mean time - I'm of the opinion that she's ashamed of us and this forum & wants it dead and that the '404 Sign Up Page', actually tends to this conclusion.

Y'all can read her views on 'demo-crass-y' / demoCRAZY / deMOCKERYcy & in her opinion, it seems that (based on a sample of one, ie Linus Torvalds) ... we'd all be better off under benign tyrants ! Is the 'Sign Up' page going to be opened to new or even old posters ?!! That is really all I need to fkn know !!!

Apparently jart's "views do not represent Google" but for sure Google Corp. aren't objecting too hard, lol and re. ''Beware the mob, for their wishes are not their own, as they are merely zombies summoned by the media to attack that which is strong.'' - I know what and where admiration of 'the strong' - is & leads to & tho' I'm concerned about 'our leader', I'm more concerned about this forum - which is still one of the most active faces of OWS on the web & which is still very relevant but I would say that wouldn't I, lolol !!

Any revolution or fundamental change does not come overnight by flicking a switch but my a process and true, participatory democracy & indeed Liberty ''cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people" (John Adams - Second President, 1797 - 1801). Re. the actual 'News Article' btw : http://www.thenation.com/article/186129/snowden-exile-exclusive-interview - I do wonder what Edward Snowden would make of our predicament & anyone with any sway over jart should have a word asap !

respice, adspice, prospice ...

[-] 5 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

One thing we need to do is we need to quit complaining when trolls come here, which they inevitably will, due to the nature of this site. I think that is why jart shut it down this last time.

We should welcome all people to the forum, trolls and all, people we agree with, people we disagree with. We can handle them, we've been handling them for 3 years. The sign up should be re-opened permanently with absolutely zero concern for what may happen. Let the chips fall where they may.

[-] 6 points by ShadzSixtySix (1936) 9 years ago

''We should welcome all people to the forum, trolls and all, people we agree with, people we disagree with. We can handle them, we've been handling them for 3 years. The sign up should be re-opened permanently with absolutely zero concern for what may happen. Let the chips fall where they may.'' Amen, Bravo, Ditto & Solidarity bw. Meanwhile ...

multum in parvo ...

[-] 7 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

"US child poverty remains at highest rate in 20 years." And, nearly 1 in 4 children are living in poverty today, 1 in 3 rely on food stamps and nearly 1 in 2 are near the poverty line.

What a total abject failure! This economic system and political system and society as a whole are a total failure! Wake up people! It doesn't have to be this way. There is plenty of money to go around.

[-] 0 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

There is plenty of money to go around. Unfortunately, the masses seem hell-bent on giving way too damn much to the rich.

Apple, Facebook, Verizon, Twitter, Hollywood, Netflix, DirecTV, Dish Network, Wal-Mart, the local doctor, GSK, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres, Beyonce, Lebron James, Tiger Woods, the Kardashians, Taylor Swift, U2, Citigroup, ect, ect, ect, ect, ect, ect, ect, ect, ect.

Virtually no one takes one god damn second to stop and think about wealth concentration before throwing their money down on the latest batch of over-priced crap. If they did, we would not be in this mess.

[-] 8 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

Well said. I'd like to see labeling on products that go as deep as to list what percent of the price goes to labor costs, what percent goes to profits, etc.

[-] 2 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

God is here on Earth! Make it happen. The information you seek is public and available in corporate reports to shareholders. All it takes is to have it pop up when people are thinking of buying something. Both Google and Amazon can display this information (probably with the help of Akamai) such as when a smartphone recognizes a product through its camera and searches for price and descriptive information.

If potential customers ask for the information, these search companies will likely supply it. Before every purchase, ask for the information and soon enough the corporations may get the message that it matters.

[-] 5 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

LOL! Maybe Apple can even add how many employee deaths occurred during production.

Not funny really, but sometimes, in humor we can see things more clearly especially very sad and tragic things....

[-] 3 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

Yes, indeed. A picture of steel nets around China's workers' dormitory buildings to prevent suicide jumps from killing the persons and others can be helpful purchasing guide. Google, jart's master, probably has those pictures available when searched for. Here is one of the workers' corporate safety net by a very caring corporation.

On its IPO, Google restricted its share offerings in a more egalitarian way than most others so it is more Communist.

[-] 1 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

Holy crap what a good idea!

Now all we need is an act of God to make it happen.

[-] 3 points by Shule (2638) 9 years ago

Wow! It is refreshing to read something written by somebody who is thinking.

( now I'm curious; I have to ask; are you under or over 30? )

[+] -4 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 9 years ago

you and Shadz are the biggest attackers of anyone wanting to change the current system the forum has become nothing but hate filled puke dumping on every liberal in the country

[-] 5 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

No one is a bigger attacker than the government you seem to love.

Here's a video made by OccPhoenix on the governmental forces at work. There's a slew more of them there, on the right, all the same shit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcsqO0rtj48

Why do I have a feeling you are a retired cop?

[-] 3 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

Your current government and political system dumps hate filled puke on the American people every single day.

[-] 3 points by trashyharry (3084) from Waterville, NY 9 years ago

This site is the Top Link that appears on The Google Machine for all Occupy search terms I've tried.There is more than one explanation for that...unless the Algos direct to the most traffic.There is some variability with other subject searches,but I have never seen this site fail to appear as the Top Link.Occupy won't be a worry until the Right Wing Ding gives up on the Republican Wing of Uniparty and the TP,IMO.They are not quite there yet.Their #1 concern is Guns.Uniparty does not support their Gun Thing and will begin Stabbing them in the Back over it in Due Time.

[-] 5 points by ShadzSixtySix (1936) 9 years ago

''Uniparty'' is a great term and meme & baring a very worryingly small handful (Dennis Kucinich, Cynthia McKinney & possibly Liz Warren, Alan Grayson & Bernie 'Pro War' Sanders) they are all Corporate Co-opted ''Right Wing Dings'' it feels. Then of course there is ...

Like you say harry, this site is still right up there as a 'Face of Occupy' & we soldier on for The 99% but alas with li'l or no help from 'our leader & ''founder'' - not that we need much help but 'active hindrance' is really a proper pain in the arse !

per aspera ad astra et 'v. q. p.' ...

[-] 5 points by trashyharry (3084) from Waterville, NY 9 years ago

Solidarity Shadzy.You are the Best.Tanguam ex ungue Leonum.

[-] 6 points by ShadzSixtySix (1936) 9 years ago

''The US justice divide: why crime and punishment in Wall Street and Ferguson are so different'', by Matt Taibbi :

Thanx harry. Solidarity and I hope you sort out a web-site for your art & that article will hurt to read so ...

caveat et pax et lux ; nunc et semper ...

[-] 4 points by trashyharry (3084) from Waterville, NY 9 years ago

The Streets are the Best Place to Exhibit Art.The People deserve the best I can do.

[-] 4 points by ShadzSixtySix (1936) 9 years ago

Yes & re.'Situationist Art & Thought', fyi :

La beaute' est dans la rue et - ars longa, vita brevis ...

[Removed]

[-] -3 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 9 years ago

I can understand why she would be ashamed....

[-] 5 points by ShadzSixtySix (1936) 9 years ago

She's possibly "ashamed" because we do not reflect her current 'Right-Libertarian', quasi-Randian, disdainful of The 99% - views .. NOT because the forum isn't some DNC fellatio exercise as some people have always wanted it to be !!! Democracy does NOT actually equal 'Duopoly' !! Solidarity !

All you US peeps between centre-right and bat-shit-crazy right-wing (which includes The VAST Majority of you btw !), expect instant results in your culture of short attention-span ; instant gratification and can't see past 3/4 election cycles / your own lifetimes. If you have kids & grandkids u should think about that.

respice ; adspice ; prospice ...

[-] 3 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

That is most likely a reflection of watching both people build things that really help people, and also watching people say that they have the right to own that very thing. There are some good points in that piece.

It might not be so much an endorsement of uber right views as much as it a denouncement of uber left ones. I know quite a few people who rail against the machine on a daily basis, who simply cannot out of bed in the morning. Its an extreme case, but the loud wheels always get the grease, right?

[-] 7 points by ShadzSixtySix (1936) 9 years ago

You think jart's screed is "a denouncement of uber left" views ?!!! What ''uber-left'' left views are actually prevalent in The U$A ?!! Tho' I'll read it again later, I am really very hard pushed to see that in her essay [ https://justinetunney.com/founders.html ], which reads like a sub-Randian manifesto for elitists & the "founders" of enterprises - for profit or otherwise !

Sadly jart appears to be like so many people in USUK etc whose political perspective doesn't extend much beyond a generation or their own immediate reality. On a partial tangent for example, Universal 'not for profit' Healthcare is seen as ''uber left'' by many in The U$A, whereas in Canada & Europe, it's considered a cornerstone of a civilised society. Equally, most people in most places .. would actually consider 'For Profit Prisons' as immoral and beyond the pale - yet it is happening now all over the US.

Finally, on this Edward Snowden referencing News-Post, perhaps also further consider the following :

fiat lux ...

[-] 3 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

You have to remember that when you do a lot of activist stuff, you end up talking with a lot of communist types, and also many types that look at anyone who has managed to build really just about anything, and then say those people have no right to it.

There's issues on the right and the left, in extreme views of some people, who think that no one should help anyone, or the opposite, the absolute abolishment of private property. I know some of these people, they literally don't want you to own the house you live in. And Im like, um sorry bro, I have people to take care of, your not coming and going out of my house as you please lol.

Honestly, you know my views on things. I'm not a mind reader, just trying to make sense of a blog article like that. What brought on these thoughts, etc.

[-] 6 points by ShadzSixtySix (1936) 9 years ago

OWS ''had an impact on consciousness. It was not effective in realizing change. But too often we forget that social and political movements don't happen overnight. They don't bring change immediately--you have to build a critical mass of understanding of the issues. But getting inequality out there into the consciousness was important.'' says Edward Snowden & of course, I agree with that.

I'm kinda shocked that you ''end up talking with a lot of communist types'' because prejudicially, I didn't really think they had much presence or traction on The U$A !!! They may be old school, unreconstructed ''property is theft'' - Stalinist types or even agents provocateurs - but frankly, the necessary opposition to Corporatocracy makes for some strange bedmates, lol !! The policies of Neoliberal, 'small govt.' but huge security/military machine ; laissez-faire crapitalism are what hold sway in The U$A and that (imo) is as near to Fascism as it gets without goose-stepping soldiers and secret police on the streets !

The major problem with 'Socialism In America' - is that for 40+ years, as a matter of policy - it has been reserved for the 1% & their 0.01% Parasite Class Masters, while The 99% have increasingly suffered the strictures and oppression of Crapitalism, red in tooth and claw.

Finally, please note that - “Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism, because it is a merger of State and corporate power.” (Benito Mussolini)

caveat ...

[-] 4 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

The problem is that capitalism will always promote corporatism. There is no getting away from that because capitalism needs the exploitation that corporations are so good at extracting.

[-] 4 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

Theres a good chance that any system will end up really fucked up if the people dont do their part. Corporatism is just merging the state with the large corps. Whether the corps are lobbying for favorable regs in a marketplace of lobbying to be the sole provider via government in socialism or communism, we can easily end up in the same spot prob.

Socialism has gone to shit, communism has gone to shit, dictatorships, etc. Also, all of the mentioned have had stints where they are decently successful, even today.

I look at the social programs we have right now, compared to say the netherlands. And the areas that are heavily subsidized aren't happier, and in fact the socialist nations in Europe have really high rates of suicide for some reason.

Personally I feel the problem lies in the concentration of power. In a nation this huge, centralizing it has created a disastrous effect. Its been a downward spiral for the last 100+ years.

Socialism can be very effective when the people can see the fruits of their labors. If Tampa said lets put together a plan where everyone gets healthcare, and here is the doctors pay, and here is what we need for supplies and housing and machines on a yearly basis, so dividing it up among 3 million people we need X amount from everyone, on a monthly basis.

100 million working people donating $80 a month is one billion. Removing all the regualtions and the lawyers, one billion is a great number, very manageable.

But if people want me to put my name behind the bureaucrats in DC to run it, nationally, in a productive manner with the trial lawyers writing most of the legislation and the insurance companies figuring out how to get theirs, along with the equipment manufacturers, fuck that. Not for me. Total mess.

[-] 5 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

I think capitalism inherently does not work for all, or most people, and it is on it's way to imploding. I am open to new ideas for new economic systems. Economic systems are man made after all.

One thing I think is important is that capitalism requires competition and exploitation and scarcity, and that is why you get people crying, wah, wah, I made it! I own it! I control it! You didn't work hard enough! You're not as smart as me! Blah, blah. I'm personally really sick and tired of that kind of elitism. Try standing on your feet all day at McDonald's, try standing on your feet all day teaching 40 kids, etc., and tell me those people don't work hard!

You can be a genius and work your ass off and get nowhere in this country. All I want is for everyone to have enough to live a decent life. I'm not looking for everyone to be equal. But, no one should be getting wealthy off the backs of others who are living on poverty wages.

[-] 6 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

I agree on " But, no one should be getting wealthy off the backs of others who are living on poverty wages."

Most of the people who pay such low wages are the multinationals. Rarely do we see local shops paying people only $7/hr.

Which makes it all the more amazing that 100 million people go to Walmart, every week, patronizing the very people who screw them over.

Of course, our voting habits aren't much better, as we will see tomorrow. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss lol.

[-] 5 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

Good points. Not much to vote for today, sadly, perhaps that is why so many Americans stay home compared to other developed nations.

[-] 3 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

I would add, would it be more of a mess than it is now? Not sure, hard to tell.

But then again, I thought we were moving for universal in the 08 campaign, and got a big heaving helping of shit instead, so that kind of proved it all to me.

[-] 8 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

Occupy Wall Street represents the beginning of a revolution of thought in the United States. It has planted the seeds that will eventually spread that revolution to our economic and political systems. Have patience. Big change takes time.

[+] -5 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 9 years ago

The future of OWS will depends on its ability to keep the ego driven Greens from attempting to prop up their egos and vote count on the backs of OWS, addressing the root cause of inequality that root cause being political inaction on the part of the people is the only path to change.

[-] 7 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

You missed my second sentence. "It (OWS) has planted the seeds that will eventually spread that revolution to our economic and political systems. Don't bother me with your blah blah about our current political system.

[+] -4 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 9 years ago

then please don't bother me about our current wars or our current student debt or the current inequality, you clearly don't care about anything the current system does,,,,,or anything that could be done currently to effect change

[-] 6 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

Currently, we have politicians who are all in bed with corporations, hence the problems you describe. We need to change the current......

[-] -3 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 9 years ago

thought you weren't interested in current change, we could affect tremendous change within a week if we removed our heads from ours asses alass little chance of that....

[-] 5 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

By current I was referring to the general tide, the direction of things, the direction our current political system has us going in. More wars, lower wages, increased debt, increased poverty, increased inequality, etc.

[+] -4 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 9 years ago

more Greens helping more Republicans stay in office longer.....I know what you mean when will it ever end? If only OWS and the Greens could see there is a better way, a path to real change.

[-] 5 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

The Democratic Party is older than the Republican Party. Real change, it's not.

[-] 4 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

Stop endorsing war criminals then.

Dems nuked two cities.

Dems started Korea.

Dems lied to the country and started Vietnam.

And now after Iraq and Afghanistan, Dems have decided to keep bombing them and have tossed in Libya, Pakistan, Syria, Sudan, Mali and Yemen.

How could this all be? Because of people like you refusing to hold anyone accountable.

If you ask me, no one has a bigger ego than people like you, willing to look past the blood and the guts and rape and the destruction, just to win.

[-] -1 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 9 years ago

Stop electing Republicans do I even need to list the reasons why?

BTW the way, chances are they will control the Senate soon you must be very proud

[-] 3 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

I refuse to support the crimes of one group to avoid the crimes of another.

Thats a pathetic way to live your life, and makes you officially part of the problem. Because of you are willing to play that game, then why would tptb ever change anything?

They got you by the nuts, hook line and sinker.

Thank god you boomers are on your way out.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Stop electing Republicans do I even need to list the reasons why?

Nope - nuff said - should be obvious to all - I mean yes the democrats have their problems too - but they are nowhere near as virulent/poisonous at this very point in time.

[-] 2 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

No where near? They are both so fuckin bad I don't see how anyone could put their name behind either of em at this point. Totally screwing everyone, laughing about it all the way to the bank.

But each side convinces their minions to just follow along, things could get worse otherwise. Well, when you have two options both saying that, things get worse. Duh, right?

So here we go, another election where the people are literally begging to get fucked over.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

No where near?

Correct.

We are where we are at this point in time - Blatantly evil reps in office and running for office and weak kneed dems in office and running for office.

Show me a different line-up to vote for and depending on who they are and what they believe - if they show as better prospects - then - no problem.

But as of this very point in time I will choose the weak kneed over the blatantly evil every time.

[-] 4 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

I told you all last election that the Dems hate the environment just as much, they just realize their voters want them to care. Fast forward a few years and Keystone is going and they open up the entire Atlantic to oil exploration, after decades of a ban.

I told you all last election that the Dems are just as blood lusting for war as the Reps, and here we are, bombing Syria and rebombing Iraq. But hey, the people are terrified of Muslims from mass media hype, so blame it on a new group. Make em more scary than the last one, make a few fake videos, etc. Cake walk.

I told you all last election that the Dems loved Wall St just as much, and its been two straight years of taking our money and giving to the banks. Allegedly Novemeber is the beginning of an actual recovery, we'll see how long that lasts.

I told you all last election that the Dems could care less about our food, and there ya go, had to make sure a few key people voted no on it (read the Occucards on duopoly for this one).

I told you all last election that they could care less about jobs. Two years later, no one is talking about bringing manufacturing back, and they are still working on more free trade deals.

I told you all last election the Dems loved the police state, and here we are, openly being spied upon and they are actually jailing the whistle blowers. No outrage over any of the police violence, etc.

Of course, Ive been saying all of this for a while, before occupy and shortly after being used like a fuckin fool for hope/change. If you get really involved and stay true to justice and liberty for all, its not hard to see.

After Dems and Reps shut down our movement, it should have been obvious. But to some, they still cling. You're still clinging to the Dems, there's some still clinging to the Republicans. Completely trapped in their own minds.

So it is our job to release the grip.

Another world is possible.

[-] 3 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

Self serving people are just that, self serving. Sociopaths are great at playing on people's emotions, getting them to believe in them.

Dems convince people they are there to help them, Reps convince them they are there to leave them alone. Neither one is true to that, because if they were the system wouldnt exist as it does.

So you go ahead and fall in love with some loser politicians, whom you have never met, and somehow feel they are just some weak kneed poor guy, just tryin to do his best. Gosh darn it, lets help the poor fella out!

Ah shucks DKA, I luvvvv yooooou :)

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

BTW - the threat of reps controlling the senate? We will see soon enough - but it seems to me to be an empty fear-mongering get out the vote or else threat. Anyway I hope that it is all just a bad dream - because things are bad enough in this country without them having anymore power to flush us "all" the rest of the way down the toilet.

[-] 6 points by publius31 (75) from Fort Lee, NJ 9 years ago

Our Aristocratic Representatives Support torture, deny evolution, call down God onto their opponents, deny temperature and energy increase in the atmosphere, empower banks to pay 1% interest and collect 30% interest, deny equal protection of the laws to their citizens, deny equal economic and educational opportunity to their citizens, have special health care laws for the aristocrats of Congress, have the aristocratic Government officials immune to indictment for murder, torture, and trillion dollar fraudulent financial transactions (several times in one generation), send jobs overseas, tax the poor and subsidize the rich, let Corporations write the laws that govern them, subsidize the energy corporations and food producing corporations, sell their votes and office to anyone and everyone who can give them a few hundred thousand dollars. And still, our Aristocrats of Government get a good rating of 12%. "What fools these mortals be." Remove the Aristocratic Republic and replace it with An Actual Democracy with one Constitutional Amendment where the people vote on the laws as they now vote for entertainers and debate where they debate the laws where now they debate which laws and which aristocratic Representative is the worst. See http://assocactualdemocracy.com and http://actualdemocracy.blogspot.com.

[-] 3 points by SerfingUSA (451) 9 years ago

yes. I mean Hell YES !!!

[-] 5 points by trashyharry (3084) from Waterville, NY 9 years ago

Snowden had already made up his mind he was going to do what he ended up doing by the time 9/17/11 rolled around.#OWS and the treatment it received probably helped him make up his mid to act if he remained uncertain,or steeled his resolve if already committed by that time.The first thought I had upon the Breaking News of a New and Devastating Whistleblower was-He is one of us-the 99%.He is one of Ours.Hope he can come home soon.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

The day Snowden can come home will get "closer" only after we end the corp(se)oRATocracy.

[-] 4 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

"All these political pundits now talking about the 2014 and 2016 elections are talking about inequality."

Sure, they are. Unfortunately, most of them, and ALL of the political candidates themselves, are talking about 'inequality' in manners specifically designed to keep the people STUPID.

This is what they still refuse to admit:

THE RICH ARE TOO RICH. PERIOD.

[-] 3 points by Shule (2638) 9 years ago

readers may be interested in Glenn Greenwald's new website: "The Intercept" found at www.firstlook.org/theintercept/

[-] 3 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

Its going to be a while before something as cool as occupy comes along again.

[-] 2 points by Ache4Change (3340) 9 years ago

'Net Neutrality Stands in the Way of Larger Corporate Profits' -

http://www.nationofchange.org/2014/11/12/net-neutrality-stands-way-larger-corporate-profits/

We should wonder what would Edward Snowden make of that!

We Must NEVER Allow 'Tiered Access' To The Internet! Occupy Universal Internet Solidarity!

[-] 3 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

What I don't get is why the corporations should be paid more for slowing down the internet access?

Don't they have to LOOK at every single packet of information flying around and determine if its account is up to date with money to forward it accordingly?

It is like being paid to obstruct traffic!

[-] 4 points by Ache4Change (3340) 9 years ago

'It is like being paid to obstruct traffic!' Exactly! Because that way, you the individual and small, medium and large companies, will feel as though you have to use the toll roads! THEIR toll roads! All this is now being enabled by such treason as this http://www.nationofchange.org/2014/12/10/supreme-court-cozies-big-business/

Be under no illusions whatsoever - the 1% fear the implications of the internet and will be trying their damnest to cage and control it.

Never Give Up The Struggle for 99% Justice, Freedom and Progress! Occupy The Agenda! Solidarity.

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

If people are going to be obstructing traffic anyway, they can emulate the trolls and set up their own toll booths. We can see if the 1% can collect more tolls than the 99%'s toll booths. If the racial divide is the issue, the social justice tolls can be inversely proportional to the skin color of the drivers.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

We Must NEVER Allow 'Tiered Access' To The Internet! Occupy Universal Internet Solidarity!

As we must eliminate - 'Tiered Access' Health Care.

[-] 4 points by Ache4Change (3340) 9 years ago

Yes, 'eliminate - 'Tiered Access' Health Care'! This is being enabled by Healthcare and Insurance Corporations through the courts and via a 'captured' and I would argue - treasonous, SCOTUS - http://www.nationofchange.org/2014/12/10/supreme-court-cozies-big-business/

Never Give Up Exposing ans Opposing The 1%! Occupy The Truth! Solidarity.

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

Oh, you mean like the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital's handling of the Ebola case of Patrick Eric Duncan. Make room for paying customers. That did not work out well.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

NO ! As in one size fits all = FULL COVERAGE TO EVERY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL.

[-] 2 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

Sorry, Biology messed up my English reading - elimination is a bodily process. Full coverage to every single individual would certainly simplify healthcare greatly. Much of the paperwork in clinics and hospitals deals with the insurance coding, apportionment, etc., related to money, not diseases, nor people. Other developed countries have far lower costs and better averaged outcomes.

This just occurs to me - the U.S. pays clinics and hospitals to obstruct traffic!

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Exactly why the ACA needs to be grown/expanded/strengthened and private ins operations be absorbed and restructured.

[-] 3 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

Medicare for all can be a very simple replacement for the ACA. Mechanism is already inplace. Overhead is already extremely low and may go even lower because "for all" can eliminate the checking of age eligibility for Medicare.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Expanded access to Medicare/Medicaid is the heart ( currently ) of the success ( ability to get health coverage at all ) of the ACA - and is if used properly will drive down the cost of private insurers coverage if they want to retain customers. The more private insurers raise their prices and lower what they will cover - then - the more attractive Medicare/Medicaid become and the more individual income Medicare/Medicaid will receive from individuals signing up to participate at the lower rates and expanded coverage - to help further growth and expansion of Medicare/Medicaid.

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

Does that mean one should drive up the costs of medical care of the private insurers to hasten the day for Medicare/Medicaid coverage for all? Ebola outbreak in the U.S. seems capable of doing just that if it occurs.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Private ensurers really need no goading to drive up their prices or drop the quality of coverage - they have been doing that on an increasing pace - fastly increasing pace for over the last ten years. And they have even gotten stupider since the creation of the ACA.

[-] 3 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

Not more stupid, more empowered. They wrote the freakin thing for cryin out loud!

[-] -1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago
[-] 2 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

Silver plans falling by .02%? Really? Thats hysterical. I also like how the lower level plans are actually increasing according to the article.

Insurance companies are loving this. I guess all that lobbying paid off.

[-] -2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

[ EDIT ] cherry picking R U ? Yes there are places where private insurers are raising prices ( sky rocketing their prices ) - and there are places that are seeing dramatic drops in prices as noted below in a section of the article you must have accidentally overlooked.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/12/1344367/-Obamacare-premiums-falling-in-48-major-nbsp-cities

" Keep in mind that the 0.2 percent drop is the average across all the measured cities. There are places where prices are skyrocketing (like Anchorage, AK, where they're rising by 28 percent; or Minneapolis, MN, where they're rising by 18 percent) and places where prices are plummeting (in Jackson, MS, prices are falling by 24 percent; and in Denver, CO, they're falling by 15.6 percent). "

Further:

" There's one thing this analysis points out yet again— people with existing Obamacare policies shouldn't just auto-enroll back into the same plan. First, they might very well be able to find a comparable plan at a lower price, and second, their subsidy level could very well be changing, since it's based on the lowest-priced silver plan available on their exchange. If those plans have cheaper premiums this year, subsidy amounts could be lowering for everyone. The only way to determine that for the consumer is to shop again and see what's available, and what their subsidy will be. "

Furthering Further:

" So, seven million newly insured (not counting all those added to Medicaid, and the young people newly covered by their parents' plans) in plans that will remain affordable, and it's all costing the government less than predicted and the rise in healthcare costs is being slowed down dramatically. Of course Republicans want to repeal all that! "

EDIT -> BTW - it was exactly because of corp(se)oRATion private insurers sky-rocketing their prices year after year after year - that the ACA was 1st brought up and then was pushed into being against private insurers protests and lobbying. And do you think the private insurers are gonna stop their activities without a fight? HELL NO ! And that is why in places it is gonna get worse before it gets better.

[-] 2 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

Which means if its pretty much a net 0 difference, then in other cities prices are increasing dramatically to get those 24 and 15.6% decreases back to a zero.

Insurers put on a show to act as if this was bad for their biz simply because if they came out and publicly stated "Holy shit, the gov is going to mandate everyone buys our products?!! Hell Ya!" well.... you probably wouldn't have been slobbering all over like you were.

These business behemoths know how you are going to react and how to play you before you do.

[-] 0 points by WSmith (2698) from Cornelius, OR 9 years ago
[-] 2 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 9 years ago



private ballot box elections are a shame




[-] 2 points by Crackpot (53) 9 years ago

OWS doesn't have political clout.

|the individuals who were louder, more disruptive and, in many ways, more effective at drawing attention to their concerns were immediately castigated by authorities. They were cordoned off, pepper-sprayed, thrown in jail.|

“Many observers saw Occupy's 2011 rise in New York as a product in part of the NYPD's overreaction to protest. “ Those authorities violated the First Amendment but were not voted out of office or replaced. To accomplish that would require a political party which OWS is not.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/18/occupy-wall-street-lawsuits_n_3943399.html

[-] 1 points by Shule (2638) 9 years ago

OWS is a setup by the 1% to keep would be revolutionaries "occupied" with trivia like blogging so as to keep them from engaging in real revolutionary activity.

[-] 2 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

"The word is mightier than the sword." - one copy of the Teachings of Ahiqar, dating to about 500BC.

[-] 2 points by Shule (2638) 9 years ago

"A man's greatest work is to break his enemies, to drive them before him, to take from them all the things that have been theirs, to hear the weeping of those who cherished them." Genghis Khan

[-] 2 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." - John 1:1.

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs ffom thistles?" - Matthew 7:15-16.

What is the fruit of Genghis Khan? Mountains of stacked bleached human skulls and bones before city gates and the "weeping of those who cherished them." Where are the smiles on the children's faces?

[-] 5 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in twenty-five years than the Romans did in four hundred. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization. Vastly more progressive than his European or Asian counterparts, Genghis Khan abolished torture, granted universal religious freedom, and smashed feudal systems of aristocratic privilege.............Weatherford presents, if not the greatest ruler the world has ever seen, then certainly the ruler who had the most lasting legacy in creating the modern world. Genghis Khan conquered “more than twice as much as any other man in history” – between 11 to 12 million contiguous square miles, some 30 countries (on today’s modern map) with included over three billion people. His own Mongol tribe numbered a mere million, “smaller than the workforce of some modern corporations,” and his elite army of 100,000 warriors was “a group that could comfortably fit into the larger sports stadiums of the modern era.”...........................

Indeed, today’s leaders would do well studying the life and practices eight centuries past of the great Khan: he also abolished torture, built a governing system based on merit, loyalty, and achievement rather than social privilege by birth, and attempted to institute a single international law.

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

Recent decades of globalization can claim far more than Genghis Khan. After the great opening up, Europe got the Black Death. Now after the U.S. innovation of air-travel having spread worldwide, we can look forward to Ebola coming here. Do you enjoy the great conquest of Capitalism, such as the disappearance of jobs for the U.S.?

[-] 4 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

Not sure I understand your response. I was just pointing out that maybe genghis was not the monster our 6th grade history made him out to be.

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

There are advantages gained from the most heinous crimes, too, if you adopt a "proper" perspective. Unification through conquest makes certain things easier afterwards but it incurs cost of getting there.

Would OWS have been more "effective" if it were more unified in its demands? I doubt it. There has been a definite change in the political discourse since OWS started. Were OWS to have demanded a short list be carried out, there would not have been any chance of a paradigm shift.

Snowden did have a point. We need to be "impure" to cleanse the rigged system. Soap has an organic greasy part that mixes well with dirt. To clean dirt, we must have grease combined with lye or potash.

[-] 4 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

Doesn't seem to matter if it is inflation or genghis - our discussions don't make much sense. Not to me anyway

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

Snowden's point was that OWS did not effect a revolution because the ground force was not relevant to the eelites. I agree with that because profits matter to the eelites. Ten thousand people protesting outside of the eelites' business profit collection basin still affects profits little. It is when the paying or potential customers start acting out that the eelites take notice and respond.

We cannot be overly saintly about including people from the current rigged system into our movement. Wall Street eelites may perch on a mighty tree but tiny beetle grubs inside of it can still bring the whole tree down over time. We cannot be too pure and saintly about working with the so-called grubs.

[-] 3 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

have you seen the movie "cool hand luke" - "what we have here is failure to communicate!"

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

No. I do not understand.

[-] 4 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

so now we are even

[-] 3 points by Shule (2638) 9 years ago

Many people in Asia think the great Ghan was a hero, in the he brought law and civilzation to an unruly land.

But what I'm really trying to say, "words not backed by a sword, are often not considered serious words. . . and if the sword is actually used, its the fault of guy who did not consider the sword." -my words.

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

It was positive that wars were replaced by legal battles over time because civilizations can live with the enforcement of laws much better than the destruction of wars.

"Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.'" - Revelation 19:15.

The Word will return as a sharp sword and failed diplomacy will reveal its true nature for all.

[-] 3 points by Shule (2638) 9 years ago

What do you think is happening in the world now?

laws are being replaced by war; I'm not saying that is good.

[-] -1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

We actually have more laws instead of wars than before. We did not have the International Court of Justice before. What we lack is an effective enforcement mechanism. If the U.S. decides to take on the role of sheriff, the world may be improved further under Pax Americana.

[-] 3 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

boy are you off base here. now i understand better your answers on other subjects. read about the nuremberg trials and let me know what your think of american justice.

[-] -1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

American justice is not perfect but better than what I have seen in other countries. Do you know why Gitmo detainees wanted to be tried under U.S. laws? It was because they felt that they could get a fairer shake. As I am a U.S. citizen, I can live with Pax Americana extended worldwide.

[-] 7 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

ok so how has that worked in my lifetime - we can start with korea - read i f stone on the subject and tell me about pax americana. then we have vietnam with all of the horror done to that part of the world. let's not forget the bay of pigs and dominican republic. then we have the reagan wars in central america - do you have any idea what that looked like. pax americana my ass - you must be kidding or completely ignorant of our history. i don't need to go on do i? as mlk said "we are the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today" - or maybe you prefer chomsky "the u.s. is the world's leading terror state" - wow you are on ows and say such nonsense - how is that possible?

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

Okay, let us start with the two Koreas on the same peninsula to control for most variables. How many South Koreans are risking their lives to cross the DMZ to join North Korea? South Korea has cities of light and high-tech (far better bandwidth than most U.S. cities) but North Korea has the "self-improvement" camps and nearly dark in more senses than just physical. People vote with their feet.

The U.S. has been a stabilizing force for prosperity since World War II. It certainly was not perfect but look at the facts about the countries which have prospered with links to the U.S.: Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and most important for the world, India and China. Economy-wise, Germany, Japan, India, and China, are respectively the number-5, -4, -3, and -1 in the world. The U.S. devastated Germany and Japan, and China was a sworn Communist enemy. I doubt that there was any other country that could equal the U.S. record of lending a hand to former deadly enemies to prosper.

Nature's supreme law says: anything that can happen does and will happen - OWS or not.

[-] 4 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

You did not really respond to what I said but that is no surprise. We can discuss your altruistic Marshall plan another time. How about first checking out I f stone instead of your bullshit mainstream history. Then tell me about how wonderful we were in Vietnam or maybe try Haiti. Tell me about our democracy promotion in Central America. Those contra guys were the best don't you think. Please answer my points instead of changing the subject. For once!

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

"Monroe Doctrine" is just a label to help people think, nothing more and nothing less. The actions of the U.S.A. speak volumes about whether the doctrine is real or not, depending ultimately on people's belief. It is the same with God, Allah, etc. You can say God my ass or Allah my ass. None of those really matter to anyone who have no hot buttons available for pressing. Mentioning Nazis, they usurped the ancient meanings of the swastikas. Now the Jews are all up at arms whenever the swastikas are displayed. It is really the intention that matters. I will bow to your God, or Allah, if it pleases you but I will do that out of my respect for you, not because I believe there is anything at all to your God, or Allah. Nobody needs to take "Monroe Doctrine" seriously if they do not respect the U.S.A., as it has happened before.

[-] 3 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

pax americana - come on defend it again - let's start up again on inflation. another subject where you have the views of an old white (fairly dumb) man from 1950

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

"that little weasel obama is still punishing cuba - and why exactly?" is indeed a good question to re-examine after more than 50 years of estrangement.

Cuba violated the Monroe Doctrine and colluded with the Soviet Union. That was a reason for the sanctions. Now the Soviet Union is no more, we may ask if the punishment for Cuba has been sufficient. It is not the policy of the U.S. to engage in forever estrangements (Britain, Germany, Japan, China, and Vietnam are examples) but the punishment must fit the crime. Cuba confiscated private properties so it should give compensations to and seek reconciliation with the injured parties or their descendants. Monroe Doctrine still stands.

[-] 3 points by spinoza34 (400) 9 years ago

Should the prostitudes that permeated Batista's Cuba seek reparations too? Or how 'bout the government officials who conspired with the American Mafia to exploit Cuba, should they get their property back too? Should racism, illiteracy and shitty medical care return to Cuba too? Castro may not be an angel, but Batista was far worse.

[-] 2 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

you are stupid - sorry to be blunt but i cannot think of another way to respond. monroe doctrine my ass. like that means something. if the nazis called the extermination of the jews the schmidt doctrine you would say it "still stands" - start thinking grape

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

The Monroe Doctrine has succeeded very well in the Americas. Democracies broke out like measles. Pax Americana works rather well in this neighborhood so exporting it worldwide makes sense. The "greatest purveyor of violence" has the best capabilities to carry out the mandates of the world efficiently, if it should decide to take on the subservient role. Every master loves a guard dog gone violent protecting their interests.

Pax Americana exported worldwide may not be possible without having at least Pax Sinica and Pax Europaea regionally. The great work ahead is to assist China to rise non-threateningly (to its neighbors) to take on stabilizing role. "Genghis Khan on trade missions" is reconstituting the New Silk Road, spreading renminbi as the new reserve currency, and perhaps even purchasing the watershed of Lake Baikal.

[-] 5 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

"The Monroe Doctrine has succeeded very well in the Americas. Democracies broke out like measles. Pax Americana works rather well in this neighborhood so exporting it worldwide makes sense." you must be kidding. i will not review the record - i assume all here know our shameful history with "our neighbors." that little weasel obama is still punishing cuba - and why exactly? making a population suffer and starve in order to bring down a government is immoral and illegal. now i understand your completely irrational views on inflation and monetary policy. not sure why you are at ows but your ideas about history and money are incorrect - and that is the nicest way for me to put it

[-] -1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Do you know why Gitmo detainees wanted to be tried under U.S. laws?

No doubt = when was the last time an American was executed by beheading with a dull pocket knife?

[-] 3 points by Shule (2638) 9 years ago

I'm not sure what century you are comparing to, but recent history clearly shows we are regressing as far as laws and wars go. I think "Pax Amerika" is very much the instigator to much of this regression. Just look at what is happening in the Middle-East.

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

I am comparing the twenty first century with the twentieth century. There are fewer major wars between nation-states now than in the twentieth century. The EU is at peace. Japan, China, and their neighbors are mostly at peace. Only Russia is the only major country still engaging in the aggressive acquisition of neighboring countries. I think that much of the stability was due to the U.S. having extended Pax Americana worldwide. Many problems originated from the U.S. refusing to take up the subservient role of being the sheriff to the world. Crumbling Pax Americana creates instabilities.

Middle East's problems are at least many thousands of years old. They were not created by the U.S. but I certainly would agree that the U.S. had muddled the mess in the Middle East, such as the creation of the state of Israel and the invasion of Iraq for destroying the WMDs. The U.S. was too idealistic and was also fumbling by adhering to truthiness.

[-] 2 points by Shule (2638) 9 years ago

I admit we were doing pretty good until 2003 when then Prez (ass) Bush invaded Iraq. Things quickly went to crap upon that act. There was a glimmer of hope when Obama was voted in, but that ass turned coat and invaded more countries than his predecessor; some Pax America.

If you still believe in that red white and blue B.S., why I have some real estate in Florida you might be interested in.

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

I am sticking to that red, white, and blue thing because it will still be the only game in town for the next decade or so. "The Wall must fall" for Human Freedom because We the Peoples hold the sledgehammers.

Pax Americana for the world will be no worse than living with our GREAT GREAT GREAT Big Brother Texass and the Retardicans here in the U.S.A., the "Indispensable Nation."

[-] -1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

OH-Bummers presidency could have been much much better - if not for the obstructionism. Still and all - the bastard should face charges of crimes against humanity - for the drone war indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians while going after terrorist targets. The terrorists were in a known location - what harm in waiting for em to leave town - prior to dropping the hammer on their heads? Where were they gonna go? Where were they gonna run and hide? They were located ( fingered and surveiled ) in what basically amounts to the middle of nowhere. So ya got a drone overhead - it runs low on fuel and needs to head back for refueling? No problem - another drone takes up station prior to the drone on task returning to base. NO EXCUSE FOR TAKING OUT INNOCENT NON-COMBATANTS.

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

Research how Bill Clinton let Osama bin Laden slip through his grasp (eventually it led to 9/11/2001). Bill did not have the gutsiness of Barack, fearing potential repercussions from our "ally," the Saudis.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

ol slick willie was (is) a fuck-up in so many ways.

Sad to see the shit that is presented to the people for election to the highest office in the land. No character no morals no will no strength no vision no values no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no noooo

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act freed the greedy banks to stage the Great Recession. NAFTA opened the floodgate of outsourcing jobs. Bill was immensely influential in setting up the greatest events of this past generation (the hollowing out of the U.S.A., 9/11, and the Great Recession). Somehow kissing bug with Chagas flashed across my mind.

[-] 1 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 9 years ago

raspberry bushes are prickly

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 9 years ago

Hence, they must be harvested and pruned back often.

[-] -1 points by WSmith (2698) from Cornelius, OR 9 years ago

Post Wisconsin melee, Union~Snot Walker uprising, OWS was born.

I suspect you might be right.

I have suspected this all along. And I've been banned/frozen many time for it. And YOU have never agreed with me. So what's up now?

[-] 1 points by Shule (2638) 9 years ago

Huh? I never agreed? What gives you that idea. I've always been saying that.

[+] -4 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 9 years ago

OWS failed to provide the information that the corporate media never will, there are those that fight for the rich to be made richer, they can be identified by the "R" next to their names on the ballot box, if OWS had told this to America there would already be change, instead we attack humans for being human instead of attacking a corrupt system and tearing it apart. OWS was over ran by political want-2-be's also know as the Greens, so it died.

[-] 2 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

How did the system become so corrupt? Has there been a particular form of evil at work or have the humans involved simply made a long series of honest mistakes?

Unscramble the following letters for the answer.

EGDRE

[-] 5 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

This idiot always forgets that it was many Dem politicians, mayors and city council members who shut OWS down, and there were also the reports that the administration helped it out too, along with the FBI.

Their stupidity is sucking us all down the hole with em!

[+] -5 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 9 years ago

ego is root of evil;, ego like that which drives the Greens it is run away ego that corrupts a system....