Forum Post: Why OWS is not the Arab Spring and why this shouldnt go on any longer...
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 12, 2011, 12:32 p.m. EST by thomasmiller
(163)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
When an organized initiative is unable to articulate realistic goals, and solutions related to its cause, it is nothing more than a disorganized idealistic crowd leading to typically nothing constructive. Or worse yet, if the crowd is big enough as in the case of OWS, "mob mentality" would almost guarantee something destructive would take place.
OWS has now escalated into scary violent outbursts in several metro areas with some protesters reportedly carrying weapons such as AK-47, while others resorting to destroying public and private properties and vandalism. Regardless how frustrated the bankster situation (at least that was the original OWS cause) might be, there's hardly any excuse for that kind of bad behavior that could harm innocent bystanders, while not only disrupting day-to-day lives of business and private citizens, but also bringing about a "riot contagion." For example, if not for the OWS, it is doubtful the Penn State students would have resorted to rioting over a football coach who probably deserved to be fired in the first place based on reported accounts.
Some people equivalized OWS to the Arab Spring. America is far from perfect, but it is not Egypt or Libya where an outdated autocratic leader/government had ruled for decades either. The political and fiscal system in the United States most definitely needs an overhaul, and the entire congress probably needs to be replaced, but that's where voting and election comes in and what a democratic system is all about. Overall, USA is still one of the best countries in the free world despite its many problems. That is, name one country in the world that does not have similar or more serious problems....just take a look at Europe.
While the cause behind OWS resonates with many in the nation, OWS is not the path to a better America either. The longer it spread and goes on in a disruptive manner without a clear and definitive mission, and solution, the more likely other parts of the society will start turning against it. Time to pack it in and regroup before falling flat on its face once the red carpet gets abruptly pulled out.
You don't realize what this country has turned into...It is a Corporatist/Plutocratic form of government bordering on Fascism..
Fascism, that's right, all we need now is more police state..and they are working on that with the TSA Viper teams in Tennesee...
http://www.tgdaily.com/opinion-features/59187-tsa-deploys-on-tennessee-highways
We will keep going this way until the people revolt.
Stop with your status quot..BS..
Europe, the US and the UK have one BiG problem...Private Central Banking..
The only problem I have ever had with the police is traffic tickets and, quite honestly, that is because I was actually speeding or turning when I wasnt supposed to. I was angry at the tickets, but honestly, I deserved them.
If you are violating some type of law about trespassing or not camping in a certain area and the police are telling you to leave, then guess what, you better leave. An arrest on your record isnt going to help get you a job. If you resist police around you, then of course, they are not going to be kind and, honestly, I would not want them to be kind to you. As a taxpayer and resident of the community, I expect the police to come down on folks who are breaking the law and resisting the police. If you get a faceful of pepper spray or get hit with a nightstick, then you probably deserve it. Next time, follow the law and when an officer tells you to do something, then do it.
Then you will happy if the lawbreakers on Wall Street are held accountable?
Actually, I totally support the lawbreakers on Wall Street to be held accountable. Some of you may not like George Bush, but he held those responsible for Enron accountable. In that same way, I wish Obama would go after the people who were responsible for Bear Stearns and Lehman.
You and I do have common beliefs of accountability. I know most of you here are Democrats, but the simple truth is that you have to hold Obama accountable for not prosecuting these folks. Do not punish the small business owners or the police in cities like Oakland or New York. Your war isnt with them, its with the White House. I do not see how shutting down parts of NYC or Oakland will help. You need to march on the White House and that is something I would 100% support.
In the meantime, please leave our small business owners alone. Vacate Oakland, vacate Zucotti and make a move on Washington DC with your tents. My only problem with you guys is you are attacking the wrong people and expecting results...what you are getting is pushback and becoming a public nuisance.
This is a bad joke...No one is vacating anything...Get used to it, and the only people attacking anyone is the police.
They are the beginning of what I'd call the great awakening...Soon to morph into the army "For the People"....
This is rumor mongering. Little is verified by links. Do not confuse people. Speak truth to power. THe main problem facing OWS now is the commitment to sustain the physical presence. In Egypt this was easier as the demonstrations at the beginning had smashed the police and the streets of Egypt were in the hands of the people. The remarkable thing about that was that crime also dropped as the police disappeared and the people formed committees to control the streets. Then the presence in Tahrir Square could be a token camp which was swollen on Fridays for the prayer demonstrations. OWS has to develop a replacement for the absence of the police that worked in Egypt. In Portland OWS and the progressive mayor should be able to do this. Create a presence for Monday to Friday and then organize mass demonstrations on Sat or Sun. Workshops organized in an indoor location Monday to Friday with lectures and debates could sustain the movement and allow it to build.
This movement cannot stop now. It's just gotten started.
let the big horse run!!!