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[ProfessorLobo]

Is there really any way for a civilian movement/protest to NOT affect the lives of the people around the area?

Posting on the Internet, hello.

 

[KingK]

Exactly!

I work at a fucking publishing company that resides in the heart of the district in one of the skyscrapers on Wall Street that these assholes are going to surround. I don't give two shits about your protest, I don't have anything to do with any of your financial problems, and I definitely don't deserve to wade through the shit infested streets for months every day when I want to go grab lunch. These assholes are just going to make it harder for the thousands of people working downtown to live their lives. They won't accomplish anything.

Exactly!

Who cares if people lost their homes, jobs, and life savings because of reckless, criminal behavior and lack of regulation on Wall Street? Who gives a flying fuck if these financial institutions are subverting democracy by paying off politicians to redistribute the wealth of the working class into their already considerable sums of money? Houston3000 will have a difficult time grabbing lunch!

 

[X26]

Won't work, a minority of people would start shit and the NYPD would swoop in (moreso) to make sure no kind of riot starts.

 

[Acerac]

Posting on the Internet, hello.

That'll make a difference!

 

[Mr. B Natural]

Not only are people unwilling to even TRY to do something about anything anymore, but now they don't even want to deal with the possibility of being slightly inconvenienced by someone else doing something.

My generation is pure unadulterated shit.

When we get replaced by working drone robots, nobody will be able to tell.

 

[ProfessorLobo]

Not only are people unwilling to even TRY to do something about anything anymore, but now they don't even want to deal with the possibility of being slightly inconvenienced by someone else doing something.

My generation is pure unadulterated shit.

When we get replaced by working drone robots, nobody will be able to tell.

The worst thing about the bailouts is that the recession didn't get to hit twice as hard. The bailouts were far more about maintaining the status quo than helping out the American people.

 

[Ether_Snake]

Any other NYC people have to deal with these smelly peasants mucking up their commute?

Apparently on 09/17 "20,000 people flood into lower Manhattan, set up tents, kitchens, peaceful barricades and occupy Wall Street for a few months." They're doing this to spread their "one message" (TBD, apparently) and get back at all those evil bankers (who are in midtown, btw) who took their jerbs.

I appreciate the sentiment - I do, we're all struggling out here - but I can't help but feel that all this does is hamper normal folk from going to work without ever actually doing anything to the people who actually are in charge of the banks (the "bad guys"). Also it's gonna take forever to get a sandwich made at the shop downstairs now.

It's called protesting. Deal with it

 

[coldvein]

Exactly!

Who cares if people lost their homes, jobs, and life savings because of reckless, criminal behavior and lack of regulation on Wall Street? Who gives a flying fuck if these financial institutions are subverting democracy by paying off politicians to redistribute the wealth of the working class into their already considerable sums of money? Houston3000 will have a difficult time grabbing lunch!

seriously... i feel horrible for Houston3000.

 

[AlimNassor]

I hate it when people inconvenience me. Yeah fight the man, but, don't get me involved.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Exactly!

Who cares if people lost their homes, jobs, and life savings because of reckless, criminal behavior and lack of regulation on Wall Street? Who gives a flying fuck if these financial institutions are subverting democracy by paying off politicians to redistribute the wealth of the working class into their already considerable sums of money? Houston3000 will have a difficult time grabbing lunch!

How about teaching people how to challenge foreclosures and providing legal aid?

You could also register people to vote, help organize political action groups on issues, provide education material or ads to attract attention.

I think those are more useful that squatting.

 

[KingK]

How about teaching people how to challenge foreclosures and providing legal aid?

You could also register people to vote, help organize political action groups on issues, provide education material or ads to attract attention.

I think those are more useful that squatting.

I agree those are all useful things to do. That doesn't mean that staging a mass protest in the symbolic heart of the financial institution won't do anything.

Are you seriously dismissing the fact that mass protests can have any effect on public policy?

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

I agree those are all useful things to do. That doesn't mean that staging a mass protest in the symbolic heart of the financial institution won't do anything.

Are you seriously dismissing the fact that mass protests can have any effect on public policy?

Not when it will be the crowd gathering for this one, with an explicit goal of squatting for some inordinate amount of time.

 

[KingK]

Not when it will be the crowd gathering for this one, with an explicit goal of squatting for some inordinate amount of time.

Yes, because we all know that gathering and staying in a specific location for an inordinate amount of time is absolutely useless.

Oh, wait, didn't Egypt just oust a 30 year dictator earlier this year using that exact same tactic? I hardly think prompting some more effective financial reform is out of the realm of possibility if this movement picked up steam.

 

[Houston3000]

Exactly!

Who cares if people lost their homes, jobs, and life savings because of reckless, criminal behavior and lack of regulation on Wall Street? Who gives a flying fuck if these financial institutions are subverting democracy by paying off politicians to redistribute the wealth of the working class into their already considerable sums of money? Houston3000 will have a difficult time grabbing lunch!

The sad thing is you actually think a bunch of hipsters pitching tents and camping out on the street will do anything to help. You're so naive you actually think Wall Street has a bunch of evil bankers walking around grinning from ear to ear as they steal money. You, and all the people protesting, obviously don't realize what Wall Street really is.

It's a fucking street, a street, where thousands of people innocent of the bullshit you're protesting use every day to commute to and from work. It's a street where hundreds upon hundreds of tourists flock around so they can gawk at the cool statue in front of Federal Hall, in front of the street sign that says "Wall St.", in front of the Trinity Cathedral. No malevolent power is peering out their windows above the street - you're delusional.

Go pitch your tents at the court house, go have an orgy on the lawn of the city capital building, hell go pitch your tent in Times Square if you have such a hard on for New York City. I'll repeat it again but it's simply NAIVE to think that being on Wall Street will actually serve any greater purpose simply because a big bank and stock exchange office building are built next to it. None of them, you, have any consideration for the people who make their living working in such a busy commercial hub because you have such an irrational boner for annoying this supposed institution that resides there. While at the same time not realizing that 99% of the people trying to actually commute that street have absolutely nothing to do with your cause.

Everyone who participates in this delusionally grandeur gathering are terrible troll people or naive hipsters following their dream of "protesting the authority". We all know it's bullshit and just an excuse for assholes to get together and feel good about themselves for once.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Yes, because we all know that gathering and staying in a specific location for an inordinate amount of time is absolutely useless.

http://i.imgur.com/7f1FT.jpg/IMG]
Oh, wait, didn't Egypt just oust a 30 year dictator earlier this year using that [B][I]exact same tactic?[/I][/B] I hardly think prompting some more effective financial reform is out of the realm of possibility if this movement picked up steam.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, they also attempted to protected their nations heritage from looting and destruction, keep the area clean, and were attempting to overthrow a dictatorship.

I doubt many of the squatters coming to Wall Street have as good intentions or morals as those people in Egypt.

You don't get the people above.

You get these
[img]http://i.imgur.com/LAkoA.jpg

 

[Houston3000]

Yes, because we all know that gathering and staying in a specific location for an inordinate amount of time is absolutely useless.

http://i.imgur.com/7f1FT.jpg

Oh, wait, didn't Egypt just oust a 30 year dictator earlier this year using that exact same tactic? I hardly think prompting some more effective financial reform is out of the realm of possibility if this movement picked up steam.

Now I want you to look up "Tahrir Square" and "Wall Street", compare them.

I hate to spoil the surprise but Tahrir Square is a god damn Town Square. Wall Street is a road that runs through the busiest commercial district in the United States. If you can't tell the difference between a park surrounded by a traffic circle with a few museums, embassies, and monuments around it and a busy street between a bunch of office buildings in downtown Manhattan than I just feel sorry for you.

 

[KingK]

The sad thing is you actually think a bunch of hipsters pitching tents and camping out on the street will do anything to help. You're so naive you actually think Wall Street has a bunch of evil bankers walking around grinning from ear to ear as they steal money. You, and all the people protesting, obviously don't realize what Wall Street really is.

It's a fucking street, a street, where thousands of people innocent of the bullshit you're protesting use every day to commute to and from work. It's a street where hundreds upon hundreds of tourists flock around so they can gawk at the cool statue in front of Federal Hall, in front of the street sign that says "Wall St.", in front of the Trinity Cathedral. No malevolent power is peering out their windows above the street - you're delusional.

Go pitch your tents at the court house, go have an orgy on the lawn of the city capital building, hell go pitch your tent in Times Square if you have such a hard on for New York City. I'll repeat it again but it's simply NAIVE to think that being on Wall Street will actually serve any greater purpose simply because a big bank and stock exchange office building are built next to it. None of them, you, have any consideration for the people who make their living working in such a busy commercial hub because you have such an irrational boner for annoying this supposed institution that resides there. While at the same time not realizing that 99% of the people trying to actually commute that street have absolutely nothing to do with your cause.

Everyone who participates in this delusionally grandeur gathering are terrible troll people or naive hipsters following their dream of "protesting the authority". We all know it's bullshit and just an excuse for assholes to get together and feel good about themselves for once.

To say that staging a protest of financial institutions on Wall Street lacks any symbolic significance is lunacy.

I suppose, rather than holding a rally on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, MLK should have just held his rally on his front lawn, since apparently location has no effect on the impact of a protest.

Also, I hold not unrealistic expectations that this will suddenly change anything. That doesn't mean they shouldn't at least try to change things, even if it may cause you minor inconvenience.

 

[KingK]

Yeah, they also attempted to protected their nations heritage from looting and destruction, keep the area clean, and were attempting to overthrow a dictatorship.

I doubt many of the squatters coming to Wall Street have as good intentions or morals as those people in Egypt.

You don't get the people above.

You get these

And do you have a magic crystal ball that can predict the future? How can you possibly know beforehand that this will devolve into looting and riots before the damn thing even takes place?

 

[Houston3000]

To say that staging a protest of financial institutions on Wall Street lacks any symbolic significance is lunacy.

I suppose, rather than holding a rally on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, MLK should have just held his rally on his front lawn, since apparently location has no effect on the impact of a protest.

Also, I hold not unrealistic expectations that this will suddenly change anything. That doesn't mean they shouldn't at least try to change things, even if it may cause you minor inconvenience.

Lincoln Memorial is a memorial dude, a monument, it's not a damn street surrounded by skyscrapers and thousands of people working in office buildings trying to make a living.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

And do you have a magic crystal ball that can predict the future? How can you possibly know beforehand that this will devolve into looting and riots before the damn thing even takes place?

Because they plan to squat and illegally occupy space, things like that dramatically increase the chance for violence, say versus a march and a speech.

 

[Fusion Pizza]

So it's tomorrow, what do you guys think?

 

[Utako]

So it's tomorrow, what do you guys think?

Going to the MoMA, and wishing them the best.

 

[JohnTinker]

Any updates on how many tens of people showed up? Or how it smells? (although it isn't yet noon on the east coast so they're probably still sleeping)

Hope they brought sun screen, late summer sun can be brutal on that delicate white skin.

 

[travisbickle]

Because they plan to squat and illegally occupy space, things like that dramatically increase the chance for violence, say versus a march and a speech.

Jesus Christ. Move to China or something, you'll fit in perfectly there.

 

[Alucrid]

Let's try and get into the system and try and change things. Wait, better yet let's pitch tents on a street.

 

[JohnTinker]

"Day of Rage" sounds way cooler than "WHY WONT YOU LOVE ME DAD"

If trust funds could give hugs then none of this would have happened.

 

[i_am_ben]

eh its worth a shot.

 

[water_wendi]

Peace is not the answer.

 

[JohnTinker]

Whats the over/under on the number of kefiyas bought from Urban Outfitters for today?

 

[Alpha-Bromega]

wow, WOW, it's of symbolic importance you pricks

sorry to inconfuckingvenience you

 

[JohnTinker]

wow, WOW, it's of symbolic importance you pricks

sorry to inconfuckingvenience you

Oh so its a "raising awareness" event that wont actually accomplish anything?

 

[Alucrid]

Actually I do hope that this goes on for a few months. Bring on winter.

 

[Barrett2]

Isn't this a few years too late? At this point I think the avg American has moved on from feeling direct anger at Wall St. and is more focused on government incompetence.

 

[Joe]

Oh so its a "raising awareness" event that wont actually accomplish anything?

you are such a good citizen.

i bet you'd vote yes on collecting tax money at garage sales.

 

[Nuttycam]

Don't see a problem with this. It's something rather than nothing.

 

[jon bones]

wow, WOW, it's of symbolic importance you pricks

sorry to inconfuckingvenience you

You should be sorry. Some of us have jobs to get to.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Jesus Christ. Move to China or something, you'll fit in perfectly there.

Real original and the type of stupid response I would expect from someone supporting this.

 

[Wazzim]

You should be sorry. Some of us have jobs to get to.

Until Wall Street fucks up again, and they will.

 

[Chichikov]

Real original and the type of stupid response I would expect from someone supporting this.

From someone supporting Freedom of Assembly?
Yeah, me too.

Seem kinda appropriate though.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Supporting what?
Freedom of Assembly?

Illegal Squatting isn't Freedom of Assembly.

 

[Emily Chu]

Did anyone actually show up or was it a hunka hunka burning bullshit?
Wallstreet money masters will just call the fucking police.

 

[videogamer]

Because they plan to squat and illegally occupy space, things like that dramatically increase the chance for violence, say versus a march and a speech.

The squatters in Israel were successful at staying peaceful.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/04/tel-aviv-tent-city-protesters

 

[Tamanon]

Isn't this kinda pointless since Wall Street is basically closed on the weekend?

 

[JohnTinker]

Did anyone actually show up or was it a hunka hunka burning bullshit?
Wallstreet money masters will just callthe fucking police.

Its noon. They're just waking up.

Isn't this kinda pointless since Wall Street is basically closed on the weekend?

Mission Accomplished!

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

The squatters in Israel were successful at staying peaceful.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/04/tel-aviv-tent-city-protesters

Good example of overprivileged whiny people with first world problems.

It's still illegal squatting, not to mention that these people are going to be filled with anarchist scum.

The fact that they odor they leave will make Lower Manhattan smell like the Fulton Fish Market for weeks is another reason to be upset too.

 

[dudeworld]

If the huge mistakes that these bankers made which partly caused the economic collapse over the last few years wasn't enough to affect the way they conduct their business, what makes these protestors think they'll make any difference whatsoever? The majority of the people they're trying to protest can work from home, anyway. This protest hurts nobody but innocent workers in the area that are minding their own business.

 

[Chichikov]

Illegal Squatting isn't Freedom of Assembly.

The ability to conduct a peaceful political rally is the definition of freedom of assembly.

Now in this country (like most other countries) we put some limits on that principal in the name of law and order (and sometime in the name of law and order: SVU).

And I'm not even saying I'm categorically against such laws (though I do believe many democracies go way too far with them) but they are limiting on your freedom of assembly, by definition.
Much like defamation laws limit your freedom of expression.

 

[JohnTinker]

Good example of overprivileged whiny people with first world problems.

It's still illegal squatting, not to mention that these people are going to be filled with anarchist scum.

The fact that they odor they leave will make Lower Manhattan smell like the Fulton Fish Market for weeks is another reason to be upset too.

Dont worry, they'll head back to their studio lofts in the Village once their iPhone battery dies.

 

[SolKane]

Illegal Squatting isn't Freedom of Assembly.

How is this squatting? They're not occupying a residence.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

The ability to conduct a peaceful political rally is the definition of freedom of assembly.

Now in this country (like most other countries) we put some limits on that principal in the name of law and order (and sometime in the name of law and order: SVU).

And I'm not even saying I'm categorically against such laws (though I do believe many democracies go way too far with them) but they are limiting on your freedom of assembly, by definition.
Much like defamation laws limit your freedom of expression.

Not when you break the law by squatting or planning to commit violence/theft which is what this all about.

Dont worry, they'll head back to their studio lofts in the Village once their iPhone battery dies.

or to Williamsburg.

How is this squatting? They're not occupying a residence.

Their aim is to "squat" and deny access to people in the area to the jobs.