Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by
www.teapartycheer.comSeptember 17, 1787 I got into a bit of a tiff
with one washicu woman who was clearly completely uneducated (she
used the old refrain, "I didn't have anything to do with
colonization and it wasn't her responsibility."). Kent, This is an
example or an excuse to not take individual responsibility in all
aspects of education themselves on the real issues rather than
their privileges. I often have a response to this American
Exceptionalism. I usually ask them if they follow the democracy and
the U.S. Constitution signed over 200 years ago and most often they
say, "yes." If I feel inclined, I remind them of what the
document's signers did to the Original Peoples of this land called
Turtle Island. Then I use their own words so to speak and say "well
I wasn't there on September 17, 1777 and I didn't sign the
constitution nor did my people so why should I have to follow your
laws? The 500 year old generational denial is even buried deeper,
even with the "Occupy" movement.
On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 11:55 AM, Kent L wrote: Well, I'm
gearing up to write a report (I'm starting to feel my age after
shouting and standing all evening) but basically the "facilitators"
of the "general assembly" said that they weren't "set-up" to
consider any kind of declaration so they couldn't "endorse" it. It
would, they said, be treating Indians as "special." I got into a
bit of a tiff with one washicu woman who was clearly completely
uneducated (she used the old refrain, "I didn't have anything to do
with colonization and it wasn't her responsibility."). Though they
didn't want to treat Indigenous peoples as special, it was in a
private meeting of the "facilitators" that this decision occurred
(after having told us they would consider it in the General
Assembly. Apparently they have learned well from their system of
privilege and hierarchy and failed to see the irony. We did present
it to the "general assembly" (maybe a thousand people) and asked
them to endorse it as groups if they wanted and even offered to
come back and do a teach-in in a more intimate setting for those
interested, but I doubt it will go anywhere. Nonetheless, the
people who had worked with us from "Occupy Wall Street", a young
woman named Bahareh and a gentlemen named Cesar, were very
supportive and did their best to make sure we were able to make our
presentations. I spoke generally about colonialism, capitalism, and
a culture designed to create physical and economic reservations
based on the devastation of the Earth, trying to follow Rosalie's
suggestion about connecting the dots for a non-Indian audience.
Roberto Borrero from the United Taino Confederacy spoke more
directly to the issue of Columbus and genocide and Tiokasin Ghost
Horse talked some about the Indigneous history of Manhattan with
input from Steve Newcomb (Leni Lenape). We rounded it off with
Janene Yazzie, a young Navajo Deneh activist who is now going to
school here in New York. She spoke about the responsibilities
within Indigenous cultures to the community, the Earth and the
future generations. The overall message was, hopefully, until the
rights of Indigenous peoples are addressed there will be no healing
for the planet or anybody else. I alluded to that when I told the
"facilitator" that I though it would be shameful for them, if New
York, the source of the now world-wide "occupy" movement could not
find away to endorse the Declaration of Indigenous peoples. Its
demonstrative of elitism for sure and the concerns of our peoples
and other communities of color. Moving forward, I'm not sure what
to do. That will require some reflection, input and prayer. In many
ways, it was the same story. As I said in an earlier email to our
folks, it's like 1977 at the United Nations. No one gets it and it
will be a very long road to educate them on it. In this setting,
I'm not sure its worth our very limited resources, both human and
financial. On the other hand, this should be a progressive crowd
with whom a valuable alliance could be built. Frankly, though, when
people are asked, no matter how progressive, to give up their
comfort and privilege in exchange for a principle, we've all
learned what they choose. In concluding this brief update though, I
want to state that the people in the square, the ones who took the
time to listen and talk to us and read our Declaration, were very
receptive and welcoming and whatever happens they have my blessing.
But if it comes to defending the preservation of the Lakota way of
life, if I have to, I'll take on any of them. On Oct 10, 2011, at
11:57 PM, Glenn Morris wrote: > Hi, Kent, > Just checking to
see what the results of the Wall Street general assembly were?
Thanks. > Glenn
-Tiokasin Ghosthorse
Oyate Tokaheya Wicakiye ********************* FIRST VOICES
INDIGENOUS RADIO www.Firstvoicesindigenousradio.org Archives:
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Thursdays 9AM - 10AM EasternALL STREAMS & BROADCASTS WBAI
99.5 FM New York 120 Wall Street, 10th Floor NY 10005 wbai.org OR
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WAZU 90.7 FM Peoria, Illinois wazufm.org
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
CKLB 101.9 FM Yellowknife, NT, Canada ncsnwt.com KPVL 89.1 FM
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Colorado kvnf.org 99.1 FM Grand Valley, Grand Junction 88.7 FM Lake
City 98.3 FM Hotchkiss Crawford 88.9 FM Ridgeway 90.1 FM Ouray KVMT
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FM Ashland, OR kskq.org CRAZY HORSE (His Horse Is Enchanted) 1877
said this smoking a pipe with Sitting Bull 4 days before his
assassination. "Upon suffering beyond suffering: the Red Nation
shall rise again and it shall be a blessing for a sick world. A
world filled with broken promises, selfishness and separations. A
world longing for light again. I see a time of Seven Generations
when all the colors of mankind will gather under the Sacred Tree of
Life and the whole Earth will become one circle again. In that day,
there will be those among the Lakota who will carry knowledge and
understanding of unity among all living things and the young white
ones will come to those of my people and ask for this wisdom. I
salute the light within your eyes where the whole Universe dwells.
For when you are at that center within you and I am that place
within me, we shall be one."
On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 8:12 AM, Matthew Presto wrote: A couple
hundred representatives from Students for Justice in Palestine are
coming to New York this weekend. There's talk of them coming to the
occupation on Sunday afternoon. On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 7:35 AM,
Amin Husain wrote: Andy and Layan - What do you think is needed to
make things better? On Oct 12, 2011, at 7:32 AM, shaista husain
wrote: > Can we have a teach in in front of UN? The NYU speak
out was > successful. Perhaps a UN speak out will also be just
as successful to > bring attention to the failed policies. >
> On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 7:06 AM, Amin Husain wrote: >> I
am happy to help with a teach-in. >> >> On Oct 12,
2011, at 3:49 AM, Layan Fuleihan wrote: >> >> I agree
wholeheartedly. As an arab-american with Palestinian roots, I've
>> been encouraged by the amount of support and inclusion so
far in the square. >> This is definitely not something I'm
used to seeing, and it is really >> heartwarming and
encouraging. There are of course differences of opinion, >>
and while I personally do not see any reason at all to support a
zionist >> political agenda, I will respect the right of
anyone involved with OWS to >> have their own opinions
regarding this issue. >> However, there is a difference
between having personal opinions and being >> afraid to hear
all sides. What it sounds like happened (and I wasn't there,
>> so I apologize if this is inaccurate) is, with the
downward finger signs and >> general disapproval, and
unwillingness to face an uncomfortable truth. If >> this
isn't then time, then when? >> OWS is not about being
comfortable. Isn't this supposed to be a place where >>
voices that are usually oppressed to finally be heard? If anyone
has any >> critique about anything that goes on in the
square, it must be fairly >> considered. The specific context
of the J-14 protests is specifically >> concerning: yes, the
J-14 protests might have been similar to ours in form >> and
style and subject, but the real housing crisis in Israel happened
half a >> century ago with the mass expulsion of Palestinians
from their homes and >> continues today with settlement
expansion and an institutionalized policy of >> racism and
apartheid. These are facts that are, at this point, impossible
>> to ignore and undeniable, there is more than enough human
and material >> evidence so that this becomes larger than
politics, it is an issue of basic >> human rights. To speak
of the J14 protests without at least acknowledging
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by
www.teapartycheer.com>> this reality goes against what I
understand is one of the main central >> productive abilities
of OWS that gives it such credibility: a drive to >> unmask
the forms of oppression the national and global system currently
>> creates. Further, it is our responsibility to face these
facts: the >> disproportionately large U.S. financial and
political support of Israel >> makes this issue urgently
relevant to our protests. >> I second Andy's suggestion for a
teach in and discussion between different >> groups to start
coming to an understanding on this topic. I truly believe >>
that OWS is the space for this sort of productive discussion to
happen, I've >> seen it happen, and I'm very optimistic that
it can occur again. >> Thanks, >> Layan >>
>> On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 9:41 PM, [email protected]
>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> Tonight
(Tuesday) was the first Occupy Wall Street outreach training. I
>>> was shocked to hear that the first speaker after the
introduction would be >>> an activist from the Israeli
"tent protests," the racist movement which was >>>
fighting for cheaper rents and mortgages for stolen homes on stolen
land. >>> OWS has responded to criticisms of >>>
inadequate leadership and participation and addressing of issues by
and >>> regarding people of color by fostering discussion
and restructuring. The >>> racist "tent protest" movement
responded to equivalent challenges from >>> Palestinians
by telling them, "shut >>> up, leave us alone, don't
divide the movement." >>> I waited to hear what the
speaker (Ezra something) had to say, and it was >>> as bad
as I feared. It was all about the technical issues of outreach and
>>> democracy, and not one word about outreach to
Palestinians or inclusion of >>> their issues.
>>> When he finished I got the floor (even though there
hadn't been discussion >>> time planned for that agenda
point) and made some of the above points. >>> Almost as
soon as I began speaking murmurs of disagreement and calls of
>>> "this isn't the time" and downward "twinkling" hand
motions began. One of >>> the facilitators asked the
>>> speaker to respond, and he said "it's a question of
outreach. I did >>> outreach to Palestinians in Israel who
were leery of joining the movement. >>> You'll have to do
the same in the Bronx. The issue of Palestinians in the
>>> movement won't be settled here." >>> Well,
yes, Mr. Zionist, it will be settled here. There is a huge
>>> Palestinian exile community in the US, with that in NY
being one of the >>> biggest components. They want their
land back, they want their homes back, >>> and they want
the right to return. They have no >>> interest in a
movement which haggles over the rent paid by Jews to Jews
>>> for stolen property. They can't even return to visit
because of exclusionary >>> laws passed by your racist
state. >>> I have been having a hell of a great time
building OWS, especially its >>> labor component, and
encouraging Palestinians and other Arabs to join in. >>>
That will cease until there is some clarification of exactly where
OWS >>> stands on these issues. >>> I can't
continue to encourage Palestinians to come to OWS events for fear
>>> that they might be surprised, as I was tonight, by the
promotion of a racist >>> Zionist speaker. When 30,000
Bedouins are being driven out of their homes, >>> when
settlers are escalating murderous attacks and destroying thousands
of >>> olive trees, how can I recruit people to a movement
which promotes a speaker >>> who thinks this is all
irrelevant? >>> I don't presume to know what the opinions
of the rest of the leadership of >>> OWS is on this
question, and I would be happy to help organize a discussion
>>> -- preferably with Palestinian activists, the OWS
People of Color committee, >>> and a representative group
from >>> the OWS leadership -- to resolve this.
>>> How can OWS promote the great revolutionary speech by
Mohammed Ezzeldin on >>> Saturday and then promote this
racist tonight? >>> The REAL movement OWS can learn from
in the region is that of the refugees >>> in May and June
who tried to reoccupy their homes in historic Palestine by
>>> crossing the borders, some of whom were mercilessly
gunned down. >>> Photos have begun to surface in stories
about the current Palestinian >>> hunger strike in which
at solidarity demonstrations for the prisoners, >>>
Palestinians are holding up signs reading "Occupy Wall Street, Not
>>> Palestine!" How can we let them down? >>>
Until such time I will be devoting my organizing efforts to where
they >>> were overwhelmingly before OWS erupted: the
Palestine solidarity movement. >>> In solidarity (I hope),
>>> Andy Pollack >>> Al-Awda NY: the Palestine
Right to Return Coalition >>> For background and context:
>>> >>>
http://electronicintifada.net/blog/jalal-abukhater/what-tent-protest-really-about
>>> >>>
http://electronicintifada.net/content/tel-aviv-arab-spring-ignores-arabs/10374
>>> http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/ajl160811.html
>>>
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by
www.teapartycheer.com>>>
http://maxblumenthal.com/2011/08/the-exclusive-revolution-israeli-social-justice-and-the-s
>>> eparation-principle/#more-2195 >>> >>
>>
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] on behalf of gail zawacki
[email protected] Re: [september17discuss] Zionist
speaker at OWS outreach training Wednesday, October 12, 2011
10:36:30 AM
I don't see the cross-purposes. US needs a secure base in the
middle of oil country. My larger point, however, is that it is
wholly insufficient to attack the economic system without
understanding that, whatever the economic system, unsustainable
growth based on burning fuel is doomed to catastrophe. On Wed, Oct
12, 2011 at 10:02 AM, Martin Kaminer wrote: I'm not clear on the
connection between unquenchable thirst for oil and unshakable
support for Israel -- those would seem to work at cross-purposes,
no? On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 8:43 AM, gail zawacki wrote: Any
acknowledgment of US military oppression and the "war on terror" as
well as the stranglehold that corporations have on politics and the
economy should include the primary motivation, the largest - by far
most profitable - industry in the world, which is the extraction of
fossil fuels. Dependence on oil (enforced by multi-national
corporate interests) is the most perniciously destructive aspect of
modern society. We've already taken all the easily available oil
and now have turned to more exotic, desperate and dangerous methods
of obtaining non-renewable, dirty energy, including deep water
drilling (Gulf oil spill?), nuclear (Fukushima anyone?), and
destroying entire regional ecosystems through mountaintop removal
for coal, "natural" gas fracking, and tar sands. The 99% are going
to have no economy to recover if we continue to poison the planet.
The entire Mideast is going to become literally uninhabitable as
the climate heats up, and all this squabbling over the scraps will
have been a waste of time. Focus on the real enemy. Exxon, BP, the
Koch brothers, Massey Energy...the list is long. On Wed, Oct 12,
2011 at 8:12 AM, Matthew Presto wrote: A couple hundred
representatives from Students for Justice in Palestine are coming
to New York this weekend. There's talk of them coming to the
occupation on Sunday afternoon. On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 7:35 AM,
Amin Husain wrote: Andy and Layan - What do you think is needed to
make things better? On Oct 12, 2011, at 7:32 AM, shaista husain
wrote:
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
> Can we have a teach in in front of UN? The NYU speak out
was > successful. Perhaps a UN speak out will also be just as
successful to > bring attention to the failed policies. >
> On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 7:06 AM, Amin Husain wrote: >> I
am happy to help with a teach-in. >> >> On Oct 12,
2011, at 3:49 AM, Layan Fuleihan wrote: >> >> I agree
wholeheartedly. As an arab-american with Palestinian roots, I've
>> been encouraged by the amount of support and inclusion so
far in the square. >> This is definitely not something I'm
used to seeing, and it is really >> heartwarming and
encouraging. There are of course differences of opinion, >>
and while I personally do not see any reason at all to support a
zionist >> political agenda, I will respect the right of
anyone involved with OWS to >> have their own opinions
regarding this issue. >> However, there is a difference
between having personal opinions and being >> afraid to hear
all sides. What it sounds like happened (and I wasn't there,
>> so I apologize if this is inaccurate) is, with the
downward finger signs and >> general disapproval, and
unwillingness to face an uncomfortable truth. If >> this
isn't then time, then when? >> OWS is not about being
comfortable. Isn't this supposed to be a place where >>
voices that are usually oppressed to finally be heard? If anyone
has any >> critique about anything that goes on in the
square, it must be fairly >> considered. The specific context
of the J-14 protests is specifically >> concerning: yes, the
J-14 protests might have been similar to ours in form >> and
style and subject, but the real housing crisis in Israel happened
half a >> century ago with the mass expulsion of Palestinians
from their homes and >> continues today with settlement
expansion and an institutionalized policy of >> racism and
apartheid. These are facts that are, at this point, impossible
>> to ignore and undeniable, there is more than enough human
and material >> evidence so that this becomes larger than
politics, it is an issue of basic >> human rights. To speak
of the J14 protests without at least acknowledging >> this
reality goes against what I understand is one of the main central
>> productive abilities of OWS that gives it such
credibility: a drive to >> unmask the forms of oppression the
national and global system currently >> creates. Further, it
is our responsibility to face these facts: the >>
disproportionately large U.S. financial and political support of
IsraelEmails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
>> makes this issue urgently relevant to our protests.
>> I second Andy's suggestion for a teach in and discussion
between different >> groups to start coming to an
understanding on this topic. I truly believe >> that OWS is
the space for this sort of productive discussion to happen, I've
>> seen it happen, and I'm very optimistic that it can occur
again. >> Thanks, >> Layan >> >> On Tue,
Oct 11, 2011 at 9:41 PM, [email protected] >> wrote:
>>> >>> >>> Tonight (Tuesday) was the
first Occupy Wall Street outreach training. I >>> was
shocked to hear that the first speaker after the introduction would
be >>> an activist from the Israeli "tent protests," the
racist movement which was >>> fighting for cheaper rents
and mortgages for stolen homes on stolen land. >>> OWS has
responded to criticisms of >>> inadequate leadership and
participation and addressing of issues by and >>>
regarding people of color by fostering discussion and
restructuring. The >>> racist "tent protest" movement
responded to equivalent challenges from >>> Palestinians
by telling them, "shut >>> up, leave us alone, don't
divide the movement." >>> I waited to hear what the
speaker (Ezra something) had to say, and it was >>> as bad
as I feared. It was all about the technical issues of outreach and
>>> democracy, and not one word about outreach to
Palestinians or inclusion of >>> their issues.
>>> When he finished I got the floor (even though there
hadn't been discussion >>> time planned for that agenda
point) and made some of the above points. >>> Almost as
soon as I began speaking murmurs of disagreement and calls of
>>> "this isn't the time" and downward "twinkling" hand
motions began. One of >>> the facilitators asked the
>>> speaker to respond, and he said "it's a question of
outreach. I did >>> outreach to Palestinians in Israel who
were leery of joining the movement. >>> You'll have to do
the same in the Bronx. The issue of Palestinians in the
>>> movement won't be settled here." >>> Well,
yes, Mr. Zionist, it will be settled here. There is a hugeEmails
come from PST files that were linked to a post on biggovernment.com
by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
>>> Palestinian exile community in the US, with that in
NY being one of the >>> biggest components. They want
their land back, they want their homes back, >>> and they
want the right to return. They have no >>> interest in a
movement which haggles over the rent paid by Jews to Jews
>>> for stolen property. They can't even return to visit
because of exclusionary >>> laws passed by your racist
state. >>> I have been having a hell of a great time
building OWS, especially its >>> labor component, and
encouraging Palestinians and other Arabs to join in. >>>
That will cease until there is some clarification of exactly where
OWS >>> stands on these issues. >>> I can't
continue to encourage Palestinians to come to OWS events for fear
>>> that they might be surprised, as I was tonight, by the
promotion of a racist >>> Zionist speaker. When 30,000
Bedouins are being driven out of their homes, >>> when
settlers are escalating murderous attacks and destroying thousands
of >>> olive trees, how can I recruit people to a movement
which promotes a speaker >>> who thinks this is all
irrelevant? >>> I don't presume to know what the opinions
of the rest of the leadership of >>> OWS is on this
question, and I would be happy to help organize a discussion
>>> -- preferably with Palestinian activists, the OWS
People of Color committee, >>> and a representative group
from >>> the OWS leadership -- to resolve this.
>>> How can OWS promote the great revolutionary speech by
Mohammed Ezzeldin on >>> Saturday and then promote this
racist tonight? >>> The REAL movement OWS can learn from
in the region is that of the refugees >>> in May and June
who tried to reoccupy their homes in historic Palestine by
>>> crossing the borders, some of whom were mercilessly
gunned down. >>> Photos have begun to surface in stories
about the current Palestinian >>> hunger strike in which
at solidarity demonstrations for the prisoners, >>>
Palestinians are holding up signs reading "Occupy Wall Street, Not
>>> Palestine!" How can we let them down? >>>
Until such time I will be devoting my organizing efforts to where
they >>> were overwhelmingly before OWS erupted: the
Palestine solidarity movement. >>> In solidarity (I hope),
>>> Andy Pollack >>> Al-Awda NY: the Palestine
Right to Return Coalition >>> For background and context:
>>>Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post
on biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by
www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
>>>
http://electronicintifada.net/blog/jalal-abukhater/what-tent-protestreally-about
>>> >>>
http://electronicintifada.net/content/tel-aviv-arab-spring-ignoresarabs/10374
>>> http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/ajl160811.html
>>> >>>
http://maxblumenthal.com/2011/08/the-exclusive-revolution-israelisocial-justice-and-the-s
>>> eparation-principle/#more-2195 >>> >>
>>
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] on behalf of Matthew Presto
[email protected] Re: [september17discuss] Zionist
speaker at OWS outreach training Wednesday, October 12, 2011
8:12:19 AM
A couple hundred representatives from Students for Justice in
Palestine are coming to New York this weekend. There's talk of them
coming to the occupation on Sunday afternoon. On Wed, Oct 12, 2011
at 7:35 AM, Amin Husain wrote: Andy and Layan - What do you think
is needed to make things better? On Oct 12, 2011, at 7:32 AM,
shaista husain wrote: > Can we have a teach in in front of UN?
The NYU speak out was > successful. Perhaps a UN speak out will
also be just as successful to > bring attention to the failed
policies. > > On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 7:06 AM, Amin Husain
wrote: >> I am happy to help with a teach-in. >>
>> On Oct 12, 2011, at 3:49 AM, Layan Fuleihan wrote:
>> >> I agree wholeheartedly. As an arab-american with
Palestinian roots, I've >> been encouraged by the amount of
support and inclusion so far in the square. >> This is
definitely not something I'm used to seeing, and it is really
>> heartwarming and encouraging. There are of course
differences of opinion, >> and while I personally do not see
any reason at all to support a zionist >> political agenda, I
will respect the right of anyone involved with OWS to >> have
their own opinions regarding this issue. >> However, there is
a difference between having personal opinions and being >>
afraid to hear all sides. What it sounds like happened (and I
wasn't there, >> so I apologize if this is inaccurate) is,
with the downward finger signs and >> general disapproval,
and unwillingness to face an uncomfortable truth. If >> this
isn't then time, then when? >> OWS is not about being
comfortable. Isn't this supposed to be a place where >>
voices that are usually oppressed to finally be heard? If anyone
has any >> critique about anything that goes on in the
square, it must be fairly >> considered. The specific context
of the J-14 protests is specifically >> concerning: yes, the
J-14 protests might have been similar to ours in form >> and
style and subject, but the real housing crisis in Israel happened
half a >> century ago with the mass expulsion of Palestinians
from their homes and >> continues today with settlement
expansion and an institutionalized policy of >> racism and
apartheid. These are facts that are, at this point, impossible
>> to ignore and undeniable, there is more than enough human
and material >> evidence so that this becomes larger than
politics, it is an issue of basic >> human rights. To speak
of the J14 protests without at least acknowledging >> this
reality goes against what I understand is one of the main central
>> productive abilities of OWS that gives it such
credibility: a drive to >> unmask the forms of oppression the
national and global system currently >> creates. Further, it
is our responsibility to face these facts: the >>
disproportionately large U.S. financial and political support of
IsraelEmails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
>> makes this issue urgently relevant to our protests.
>> I second Andy's suggestion for a teach in and discussion
between different >> groups to start coming to an
understanding on this topic. I truly believe >> that OWS is
the space for this sort of productive discussion to happen, I've
>> seen it happen, and I'm very optimistic that it can occur
again. >> Thanks, >> Layan >> >> On Tue,
Oct 11, 2011 at 9:41 PM, [email protected] >> wrote:
>>> >>> >>> Tonight (Tuesday) was the
first Occupy Wall Street outreach training. I >>> was
shocked to hear that the first speaker after the introduction would
be >>> an activist from the Israeli "tent protests," the
racist movement which was >>> fighting for cheaper rents
and mortgages for stolen homes on stolen land. >>> OWS has
responded to criticisms of >>> inadequate leadership and
participation and addressing of issues by and >>>
regarding people of color by fostering discussion and
restructuring. The >>> racist "tent protest" movement
responded to equivalent challenges from >>> Palestinians
by telling them, "shut >>> up, leave us alone, don't
divide the movement." >>> I waited to hear what the
speaker (Ezra something) had to say, and it was >>> as bad
as I feared. It was all about the technical issues of outreach and
>>> democracy, and not one word about outreach to
Palestinians or inclusion of >>> their issues.
>>> When he finished I got the floor (even though there
hadn't been discussion >>> time planned for that agenda
point) and made some of the above points. >>> Almost as
soon as I began speaking murmurs of disagreement and calls of
>>> "this isn't the time" and downward "twinkling" hand
motions began. One of >>> the facilitators asked the
>>> speaker to respond, and he said "it's a question of
outreach. I did >>> outreach to Palestinians in Israel who
were leery of joining the movement. >>> You'll have to do
the same in the Bronx. The issue of Palestinians in the
>>> movement won't be settled here." >>> Well,
yes, Mr. Zionist, it will be settled here. There is a huge
>>> Palestinian exile community in the US, with that in NY
being one of the >>> biggest components. They want their
land back, they want their homes back, >>> and they want
the right to return. They have no >>> interest in a
movement which haggles over the rent paid by Jews to Jews
>>> for stolen property. They can't even return to visit
because of exclusionary >>> laws passed by your racist
state. >>> I have been having a hell of a great time
building OWS, especially its >>> labor component, and
encouraging Palestinians and other Arabs to join in. >>>
That will cease until there is some clarification of exactly where
OWS >>> stands on these issues. >>> I can't
continue to encourage Palestinians to come to OWS events for fear
>>> that they might be surprised, as I was tonight, by the
promotion of a racist >>> Zionist speaker. When 30,000
Bedouins are being driven out of their homes, >>> when
settlers are escalating murderous attacks and destroying thousands
of >>> olive trees, how can I recruit people to a movement
which promotes a speakerEmails come from PST files that were linked
to a post on biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by
www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
>>> who thinks this is all irrelevant? >>> I
don't presume to know what the opinions of the rest of the
leadership of >>> OWS is on this question, and I would be
happy to help organize a discussion >>> -- preferably with
Palestinian activists, the OWS People of Color committee,
>>> and a representative group from >>> the OWS
leadership -- to resolve this. >>> How can OWS promote the
great revolutionary speech by Mohammed Ezzeldin on >>>
Saturday and then promote this racist tonight? >>> The
REAL movement OWS can learn from in the region is that of the
refugees >>> in May and June who tried to reoccupy their
homes in historic Palestine by >>> crossing the borders,
some of whom were mercilessly gunned down. >>> Photos have
begun to surface in stories about the current Palestinian
>>> hunger strike in which at solidarity demonstrations
for the prisoners, >>> Palestinians are holding up signs
reading "Occupy Wall Street, Not >>> Palestine!" How can
we let them down? >>> Until such time I will be devoting
my organizing efforts to where they >>> were
overwhelmingly before OWS erupted: the Palestine solidarity
movement. >>> In solidarity (I hope), >>> Andy
Pollack >>> Al-Awda NY: the Palestine Right to Return
Coalition >>> For background and context: >>>
>>>
http://electronicintifada.net/blog/jalal-abukhater/what-tent-protest-reallyabout
>>> >>>
http://electronicintifada.net/content/tel-aviv-arab-spring-ignores-arabs/10374
>>> http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/ajl160811.html
>>> >>>
http://maxblumenthal.com/2011/08/the-exclusive-revolution-israeli-socialjustice-and-the-s
>>> eparation-principle/#more-2195 >>> >>
>>
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] on behalf of M.S. Kushneir
[email protected] Re: [september17discuss] Thursday,
October 13, 2011 2:42:50 PM
Is there anyone in this group that speaks French and may want to
speak with a French Radio Program in regards to the Oct. 15th
marches in NYC? Please contact Carla W. at 949.294.9215. Cheers
2011/10/11 NicolasMoselleAllen bueno, si me parece barbaro...pero
no importa que no soy argentino? de todos modos me encantaria
ayudar, y mas porque es la nacion y no clarin. luego podemos hablar
de este escrito que tengo yo, si te pinta... 2011/10/11 Lucas
Vazquez : > dale yo me prendo. Un productor de La Nacion me
pregunto si conocia a otro > argentino involucrado a OWS para
hacer una nota mas grande. Te interesa? > > 2011/10/11
NicolasMoselleAllen >> >> ahora que lo pienso, si quers
echar una mano con este reportaje >> mio...en principio va a
salir en la revista de un movimiento social, >> MPLD, pero
luego hay perspectiva que saldra en sudestada... >> >>
nico >> >> 2011/10/11 NicolasMoselleAllen : >>
> hola lucas, por si acaso vos no encuentras un argentino, yo
viv alli >> > durante dos aos...y mas encima me hago
illusiones de ser un argentino >> > "honorario"...no se si
te sirve...igual ahora mismo estoy componiendo >> > un
reportaje para una revista argentina sobre OWS... >> >
>> > abrazos >> > >> > nico >>
> >> > 2011/10/11 Lucas Vazquez : >> >> Hay
algun Argentino en este grupo que quiera hacer una nota con un
>> >> diario? >> > > >
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] Thomas Ryan Re: FW:
[september17discuss] Zionist speaker at OWS outreach training
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 7:19:22 PM
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----Hash: SHA1 Please send me the
latest batch of e-mails please. I want to make sure that I have
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Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] on behalf of grimwomyn
[email protected] Re: Re: [september17discuss] Advice to
#occupywallstreet from Matt Taibbi Thursday, October 13, 2011
5:32:31 PM
Guilty. I luv fashion and stupid celebs... it helps me
decompress... ;) On Oct 13, 2011 5:27 PM, wrote:Now we know what
you do when your not saving the world :)
On 10/13/11, grimwomyn wrote: Oh crap just realized that's what
I pasted sorry! Google matt tiabbi occupywallstreet five things ill
repost the link after I get home sorry for that! On Oct 13, 2011
4:40 PM, wrote: Whats with the celebrity photos?
On 10/13/11, grimwomyn wrote: He hits on a lot of great points
here. I am of the opinion that we tighten up quick abt being here
for economic issues, as that is what is bringing the 99% here. If
we get muddied into the many layers of politics, we are gonna be as
bad as congress and not get anything done. We started a class war
and we better be ready to bring it home and finish it. If we get
divided over cultural, ethnic, gender politics we are gonna be too
busy fighting each other to pay attention to the monstrous banking
and corporate system that wants us to fail. They want us to give
up, they want us to go away. The fastest way to do that is to start
fighting each other on the micropolitic level when all of those
things, intolerance of others, misogyny, bigotry, and hatred will
be a lot easier to fight once we get resources back into our
communities. We break the current unjust economic system the road
will be clear for us to take on everything else.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/celebrity-photos/celebrity-photos-of-the-week-oct12/article2197635/
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] on behalf of Charles Lenchner
[email protected] Re: Re: [september17discuss] Advice to
#occupywallstreet from Matt Taibbi Thursday, October 13, 2011
5:53:25 PM
I like you even more after this exchange. And agree with you
about the rewards of a focus on economic issues. The opportunity
cost of mission creep exceeds the warm fuzzies generated by
overinclusion. My partner does fashion, and while it's not my
world, no one should be defensive about it! Funny how it wasn't
'silencing' to try and confront/overcome/resist the lone Israeli
talking about J14, but grimwomyn championing a tight message is.
Now let's do go back and argue about Zionism! (jk) Charles On Thu,
Oct 13, 2011 at 5:32 PM, grimwomyn wrote: Guilty. I luv fashion and
stupid celebs... it helps me decompress... ;) On Oct 13, 2011 5:27
PM, wrote:Now we know what you do when your not saving the world
:)
On 10/13/11, grimwomyn wrote: Oh crap just realized that's what
I pasted sorry! Google matt tiabbi occupywallstreet five things ill
repost the link after I get home sorry for that! On Oct 13, 2011
4:40 PM, wrote: Whats with the celebrity photos?
On 10/13/11, grimwomyn wrote: He hits on a lot of great points
here. I am of the opinion that we tighten up quick abt being here
for economic issues, as that is what is bringing the 99% here. If
we get muddied into the many layers of politics, we are gonna be as
bad as congress and not get anything done. We started a class war
and we better be ready to bring it home and finish it. If we get
divided over cultural, ethnic, gender politics we are gonna be too
busy fighting each other to pay attention to the monstrous banking
and corporate system that wants us to fail. They want us to give
up, they want us to go away. The fastest way to do that is to start
fighting each other on the micropolitic level when all of those
things, intolerance of others, misogyny, bigotry, and hatred will
be a lot easier to fight once we get resources back into our
communities. We break the current unjust economic system the road
will be clear for us to take on everything else.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/celebrity-photos/celebrity-photos-of-the-week-oct12/article2197635/
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] on behalf of [email protected]
[email protected] Re: Re: [september17discuss] Advice to
#occupywallstreet from Matt Taibbi Thursday, October 13, 2011
5:27:23 PM
Now we know what you do when your not saving the world :)
On 10/13/11, grimwomyn wrote: Oh crap just realized that's what
I pasted sorry! Google matt tiabbi occupywallstreet five things ill
repost the link after I get home sorry for that! On Oct 13, 2011
4:40 PM, wrote: Whats with the celebrity photos?
On 10/13/11, grimwomyn wrote: He hits on a lot of great points
here. I am of the opinion that we tighten up quick abt being here
for economic issues, as that is what is bringing the 99% here. If
we get muddied into the many layers of politics, we are gonna be as
bad as congress and not get anything done. We started a class war
and we better be ready to bring it home and finish it. If we get
divided over cultural, ethnic, gender politics we are gonna be too
busy fighting each other to pay attention to the monstrous banking
and corporate system that wants us to fail. They want us to give
up, they want us to go away. The fastest way to do that is to start
fighting each other on the micropolitic level when all of those
things, intolerance of others, misogyny, bigotry, and hatred will
be a lot easier to fight once we get resources back into our
communities. We break the current unjust economic system the road
will be clear for us to take on everything else.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/celebrity-photos/celebrity-photos-of-the-week-oct12/article2197635/
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] on behalf of [email protected]
[email protected] Re: Re: [september17discuss] Fwd:
Re-Occupy Our Homes, Resist Unjust Foreclosurs Wednesday, October
12, 2011 6:39:46 PM
Maybe we should stage forclosure evictions of some big bank
locations like in Times Square and show up with some giant
robo-signed paper that says we own the building and we are evicting
the bank? That would freak out the Democrats no?
On 10/12/11, grimwomyn wrote: awesome and tweeted! On Wed, Oct
12, 2011 at 12:27 PM, Lisa Fithian wrote:
Begin forwarded Date: October 12, Subject: Re-Occupy Our Homes,
Resist Unjust Foreclosurs This is the final 4 minute Rose video for
distribution. PLEASE share with Occupy people and others who would
be interested in the idea of supporting families defending their
homes from foreclosure around the country.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Its time to launch the Let a Million Roses Bloom campaign.
Victims of unjust foreclosures across the country are taking a
stand to defend their homes Re-Occupy their homes. Lets stand with
them. Rose Gudiel and her family took a courageous stand, refusing
to leave her home after facing an unfair foreclosure.
Please watch this short 4 minute video about Rose and the
organizing campaign that beat the
banks!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMKxuMayH9c
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
With the support of her community group ACCE and her union SEIU
Rose coordinated a 24-hour vigil and encampment at her home, as
County Sheriffs passed by periodically to see if the coast was
clear to carry out this unfair eviction. On Tuesday, October 4 th
Rose, ACCE and SEIU took their fight to One West Bank, making a
pilgrimage up the winding hills of Bel Air to the home of Steve
Mnuchin, One West LCC Chairman. On Wednesday, October 5 th they
took over the lobby of Fannie Mae (current holder of the loan) in
Pasadena, shut down business with songs and chants, and Rose, her
mother, and 7 other supporters refused to leave when the police
issued their final warning. The group of 9 were arrested as the
crowd of 150 outside cheered. On Thursday, October 6 th, Rose
received a call from One West saying that Fannie Mae was willing to
rescind the foreclosure and put a loan modification on the table! A
deal is being finalized as we write this e-mail. More and more
families are moving back into the homes that were ripped away from
them by unfair foreclosures. Its time to Re-Occupy Our Homes. Its
time to stop the banks from stealing our homes and destroying our
communities. Peter Kuhns, [email protected] Peggy Mears,
[email protected] ACCE - Alliance of Californians for
Community Empowerment www.makebankspaycalifornia.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] on behalf of [email protected]
[email protected] Re: Re: [september17discuss] IMP:
Bloomberg Statement on Moving in to "Clean" the Park Wednesday,
October 12, 2011 10:13:44 PM
This article contains a letter from Brookfield Properties, with
many allegations and complaints:
http://gothamist.com/2011/10/12/this_just_in_mayor_bloomberg_shows.php
On 10/12/11, [email protected] wrote: That's bizarre. Any
idea when they plan to show up?
On 10/12/11, beka economopoulos wrote: I find this to be of
great concern: The cleaning will be done in stages and the
protesters will be able to return to the areas that have been
cleaned, provided they abide by the rules that Brookfield has
established for the park. It was precisely this process that ended
the M-15 encampments in Spain this past Spring. What does "the
rules that Brookfield has established for the park" mean? Need to
have strategy conversation about this, prepare media response (or
choose not to), determine game plan for this as a possible
scenario, most likely in the wee hours of the night. Beka
---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Colin Moynihan Date:
October 12, 2011 8:07:15 PM EDT To: [email protected] Subject:
from: Colin Moynihan; City hall statement STATEMENT OF DEPUTY MAYOR
FOR OPERATIONS CAS HOLLOWAY Earlier this evening, Mayor Bloomberg
went to Zuccotti Park to talk with the protesters himself and
inform them that on Friday morning Brookfield Properties will clean
the park. Brookfield Properties owns Zuccotti Park, and built it as
an amenity for the general public. As the protest has continued,
Brookfield has expressed concern about its inability to clean the
park and maintain it in a condition fit for public use. Brookfield
conveyed these concerns in a letter they sent to the City. The
Mayor is a strong believer in the First Amendment and believes that
the protesters have a right to continue to protest. At the same
time, the last three weeks have created unsanitary conditions and
considerable wear and tear on the park. This situation is not in
the best interests of the protesters, residents or the City. The
cleaning will be done in stages and the protesters will be
ableEmails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
to return to the areas that have been cleaned, provided they
abide by the rules that Brookfield has established for the
park.
-New:
http://blog.art21.org/2011/05/19/5-questions-for-contemporary-practice-with-not-an-alternative/
Not An Alternative http://notanalternative.com Fission Strategy
http://fissionstrategy.com Phone: 917-202-5479 Skype: bekamop
Twitter: http://twitter.com/bekamop
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] on behalf of [email protected]
[email protected] Re: Re: [september17discuss] IMP:
Bloomberg Statement on Moving in to "Clean" the Park Wednesday,
October 12, 2011 10:09:11 PM
NY Times says they will start Friday.
On 10/12/11, [email protected] wrote: That's bizarre. Any
idea when they plan to show up?
On 10/12/11, beka economopoulos wrote: I find this to be of
great concern: The cleaning will be done in stages and the
protesters will be able to return to the areas that have been
cleaned, provided they abide by the rules that Brookfield has
established for the park. It was precisely this process that ended
the M-15 encampments in Spain this past Spring. What does "the
rules that Brookfield has established for the park" mean? Need to
have strategy conversation about this, prepare media response (or
choose not to), determine game plan for this as a possible
scenario, most likely in the wee hours of the night. Beka
---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Colin Moynihan Date:
October 12, 2011 8:07:15 PM EDT To: [email protected] Subject:
from: Colin Moynihan; City hall statement STATEMENT OF DEPUTY MAYOR
FOR OPERATIONS CAS HOLLOWAY Earlier this evening, Mayor Bloomberg
went to Zuccotti Park to talk with the protesters himself and
inform them that on Friday morning Brookfield Properties will clean
the park. Brookfield Properties owns Zuccotti Park, and built it as
an amenity for the general public. As the protest has continued,
Brookfield has expressed concern about its inability to clean the
park and maintain it in a condition fit for public use. Brookfield
conveyed these concerns in a letter they sent to the City. The
Mayor is a strong believer in the First Amendment and believes that
the protesters have a right to continue to protest. At the same
time, the last three weeks have created unsanitary conditions and
considerable wear and tear on the park. This situation is not in
the best interests of the protesters, residents or the City. The
cleaning will be done in stages and the protesters will be able to
return to the areas that have been cleaned, provided they abide by
the rules that Brookfield has established for the park.Emails come
from PST files that were linked to a post on biggovernment.com by
Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
-New:
http://blog.art21.org/2011/05/19/5-questions-for-contemporary-practice-with-not-an-alternative/
Not An Alternative http://notanalternative.com Fission Strategy
http://fissionstrategy.com Phone: 917-202-5479 Skype: bekamop
Twitter: http://twitter.com/bekamop
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] on behalf of Jon Good
[email protected] Re: Re: [september17discuss]
MoveOn.Org and Friends Attempt to Co-Opt Occupy Wall Street
Movement Wednesday, October 12, 2011 12:05:43 AM
This is a thing that keeps happening: we have a hard time
recognizing the difference between a group and the members of that
group. The Democratic Party is a corrupt money-machine organization
whose leaders sell out their constituents as they suckle from the
poisonous teats of banks and corporations, but its members are in
the 99% and our potential allies. The NYPD is a brutal engine of
repression and persecution paid off by the banks and whose culture
of corruption gives clemency to those who rape, murder, and beat
the people they're supposed to be protecting, but most individual
cops are in the 99% and sympathetic to our cause. And so on and so
on...
On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 11:32 PM, Gabriel Johnson wrote: (Frowny
face.) I thought you guys liked me --glj On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at
11:20 PM, Jason Jones wrote: Only option now is brutal separation.
The democrats are the enemy. Smash capitalism! On Tue, Oct 11, 2011
at 11:19 PM, Jon Good wrote: " anyone trying to co-opt our movement
better be careful that they don't get swallowed by us. "+1000
On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 11:16 PM, wrote:
That is %#$%ed up! That is the problem with not controlling our
message and not copyrighting our slogans, but we are getting free
advertising. Maybe the GA should put out a message condemning
their, or anybody's stealing our endorsement. One thing though,
anyone trying to co-opt our movement better be careful that they
don't get swallowed by us. On 10/11/11, Jason Jones wrote: I take
back what I said.
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/activities/635?akid=1400.1574445.C7OweO&rd=1&t=1
It's already happened.
On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 10:43 PM, Charles Lenchner wrote: Folks
might be surprised at the level of liberal/radical fraternization
that has been taking place since
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
the Bloombergville stuff. The idea that liberals were ignorant,
then snarky, then busy taking over is pure fantasy. I know some
folks at Rebuild the Dream. They have no intention of taking over
OWS. That said, y'all know Max Berger? He did the 'briefcase
brigades' with 'the other 98%' group, left his old job to work on
economic issues from a grassroots, youth perspective, and was then
hired by RTD. You want to paint him as some outsider liberal
poaching off this movement? Just crazy. And a LOT of the folks
under attack as 'coopters' would fall into a similar category. Is
labor backed, former ACORN chapter New York Communities for Change
'liberal'? Is the Transport Workers Union 'liberal'? That said, I'm
not liberal. But some of my best friends are. And I've dated some.
My sister married one. Heck, I'm pretty sure I've voted for a few
in my day! So times really are a-changin'. Perhaps it is time to
let bygones be bygones and let them integrate with folks like us. I
lot of what I hear said about 'em is just plain ignorant. What we
really need to worry about is the People's Front of Judea. Charles
On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 9:57 PM, Jason Jones wrote: Hi I am not a
liberal. In fact I am generally extremely antagonistic toward the
position. In spite of that, I agree with jemcgloin. OWS has so far
been very successful at building numbers without alienating. The
expression of frustration that we currently collectively represent
clearly targets financial centers, and doesn't preclude militant
tactics (like occupation). Be grateful for how far we've come so
far. For now its true we really are in this together. Until that
changes (allegiances change etc.) avoid divisiveness and use the
opportunity to push the whole toward the most radical ends. With
numbers we could really make something of this.
On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 9:23 PM, wrote: Hi I am a "liberal"
involved in the GA since the first day. We are supposed to be and
inclusive movement trying to gain support, not excluding liberals
because they didn't all jump in on day one. move-on has always
supported the democratic party. Their house parties have been going
on all year. I went to one in July and brought people from there to
the first NYCGA and moveon members have been active the whole time.
I am not a fan of the democratic party, and I don't think we should
be endorsing them or any other party or candidate, but we don't
need to say bad things about their members, only policies or
legislation we disagree with. The 99% is very big and chasing away
some that are close to our positions because they work within the
system is not a good idea. Diversity of tactics does not only mean
civil disobedience. It can also mean that other groups can attempt
to pass legislation that helps people without our condemning their
existance. The moveon people that i know believe that corporations
are destroying the world and are trying to fight it the way they
know how. Go read the list of demands that they came up with
through a national voting system. Give them advise, disagree with
them but please don't come on here and claim that they are trying
to steal our movement. We are all in this together. John On
10/11/11, David DeGraw wrote:
MoveOn.Org and FriendsAttempt to Co-OptEmails come from PST
files that were linked to a post on biggovernment.com by Thomas
Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Occupy Wall Street MovementTuesday 11 October 2011 by: Steve
Horn, Truthout | News Analysis Gandhi once said [3] ofgrowing
movements of social protestation, "First they ignore you, thenthey
laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." The trajectoryof
the ever-evolving and growing Occupy Wall Street movement
followsthe same pattern almost to a "T," with slight variation.
Demonstrators with the Occupy Wall Street protests in Zucotti
Parkin New York, October 7, 2011. Protests in Wall Street section
of NewYork enter their third week, with similar efforts springing
up inBoston, Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle. (Photo: Michael
Appleton /The New York Times)
Now, apply that model to the most recent public relations
andmarketing ploys of organizations like MoveOn.org, the
ascendant"Reclaim the American Dream Movement" and the general
segment ofsociety author and journalist Chris Hedges calls the
"Liberal Class" inhis most recent book titled "The Death of the
Liberal Class [4]" (of which the former two are both apart). In so
doing, one can observe a perfect case study of the liberalclass in
action, in four distinct acts, with one exception: "then theyfight
you" can be replaced with "then they attempt to co-opt
yourmovement." Act One - Getting Ignored: In the early
planningstages of Occupy Wall Street, few eyes were on those
working behind thescenes to make this vision a reality. With little
funding backing theircause, the activists calling for this action,
to those even paying anyattention to them at all (few and far
between), seemed quixotic or atthe very least, overly optimistic.
This was the case even to thosehighly sympathetic to the cause and
its accompanying ideology. How in the world does a rag-tag bunch of
activists take on thefinancial power center of the world that calls
the shots politically instatehouses around the country, on a
federal level and around theworld? Because the task was such a
monumental undertaking, theseactivists were essentially ignored all
throughout the planning stagesand into the opening days of the
occupation itself. The liberal class, predictably, was nowhere to
be seen in theplanning stages of Occupy Wall Street, wholeheartedly
ignoring thefact, or simply not even knowing the fact, that this
occupation was inthe works. Act Two - Getting Laughed at: Once it
was seenthat, while not yet a movement, the people occupying Wall
Street had,at the very least, legitimate grievances, the liberal
class resorted toscornful tactics like mockery of the type of
people in the movement -ad hominem attacks, if you will. The scorn
was well-depicted by liberal environmental blogger,Grist's David
Roberts, who tweeted [5],"I've been reading about #occupywallstreet
for the last hour or two& it's just horrific. Practically
designed to discredit leftistprotest." It was also on perfect
display with liberal blogger DavidAtkins, who mockingly tweeted
[6],"If you want to #occupywallstreet, 1) shave 2) wear some decent
clothes3) coordinate signs about inequality 4) get a media
spokesperson." Thediatribe proceeded for multiple tweets, Atkins
having listed ten points. In a post titled [7],"What's behind the
scorn for the Wall Street protests?" Salon.comblogger Glenn
Greenwald aptly explained their behavior and tactics,writing, "Any
entity that declares itself an adversary of prevailinginstitutional
power is going to be viewed with hostility byestablishment-serving
institutions and their loyalists. That's just thenature of protests
that takeEmails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
place outside approved channels, aninevitable by-product of
disruptive dissent: those who are most vestedin safeguarding and
legitimizing establishment prerogatives ... aregoing to be hostile
to those challenges. As the virtually universaldisdain in these
same circles for WikiLeaks (and, before that, for theIraq War
protests) demonstrated: the more effectively adversarial itis, the
more establishment hostility it's going to provoke." The liberal
class, though, quickly realized that Occupy Wall Streetwas gaining
traction, with leaders of the left like Francis Fox Piven
[8],MichaelMoore [9], Naomi Klein [10],Cornel West [11]and Joseph
Stiglitz [12]joining the cause in solidarity, and its leaders
realized that it mustcoopt the movement while time is still on its
side. Act Three - Co-Option: With Occupy Wall Streetoff the ground,
but its longevity still in flux, MoveOn.org and itscousin, the
Center For American Progress [13], and Van Jones' [14]Reclaim the
American Dream Movement [15], were nowhere to be found.
Instead,they were busy planning the Take BackThe American Dream
Conference [16],which took place from October 3 through October 5.
"Taking back the American Dream," Jones said in an
interviewappearing on AlterNet [17],will be a three-step process.
First, the planned November 17 "Rising Tide of Protest [18]," a
protest, led by the Reclaim the American Dream Movement [15], will
be held in a network ofcities throughout the United States. As
FireDogLake's David Dayen explained [18],"[The] November 17
protests announced by the American Dream Movement... [are] a
one-day protest across multiple cities across the countrythat
organizers hope will be a massive activation of their supporters."
Second, an amalgamation of coordinated house meetings and
onlineteach-ins. "We're going to try to get a million leaders in
Americaonline and talking with each other. And that's going to be a
majorpiece," said Jones. Third and most importantly to an
organization "powered by," (aka aproject of) MoveOn.org [19],which
among other things, is an organization that raises campaign
moneyfor Democratic Party candidates, Jones said the 2012 elections
are avital piece of the puzzle. "And then there's a third piece and
it's new- and it seems to have escaped people's notice - and that's
that we'vesaid we're going to run 2012 people for office in 2012.
Now, that's abig deal," Jones stated. "We're talking about U.S.
senators who want to run as AmericanDream candidates - soon to be
announced. We've reached out to the HouseDemocratic Caucus; there
are House members who want to run as AmericanDream candidates," he
continued. What this translates to, in layman's terms, is the very
process ofco-opting a growing movement of democratic resistance and
trying toreplace it with a sales pitch to go out in 2012 and vote
Democrat.Jones and the Democratic Party operations in disguise,
namely the likesof MoveOn.org and the Center for American Progress,
are taking a pageout of the Dick Armey and Koch brothers' Tea Party
co-option playbookwith this one. Indeed, many forget that before
the Tea Party was an Astroturfmovement funded by Armey and the Koch
brothers, it was an enragedgrassroots movement, led mostly by Ron
Paul libertarians [20].Then it got co-opted and now it is a rotten
pawn of corporate elites. If Occupy Wall Street organizers are not
careful, this could alsobe their destiny. Act Four - Win or Be
Co-Opted? That Is the Question: OccupyWall Street, now three weeks
into the occupation, now finds itself in apivotal moment. Will the
nonpartisan, antiestablishment movement allowitself to be co-opted
by the Democratic Party serving powers that be,i.e. by the
MoveOn.orgs and Center for American Progresses of theworld, or will
it remain a strong, left, independent force that growswith each
passing day and strikes fear into what the late sociologistC.
Wright Mills calls the powerelite [21]? One thing is for certain -
the liberal class is working overtime toco-opt a burgeoning social
justiceEmails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
movement. Exhibit A: On October 5, Day 19 of Occupy Wall Street,
MoveOn.orgsent out an email calling on clicktivists (as opposed to
activists) to"Join the Virtual March on Wall Street." "The 99% are
both aninspiration and a call that needs to be answered. So we're
answering ittoday, in a nationwide Virtual March on Wall Street to
support theirdemand for an economy that serves the many, not the
few ... Join in thevirtual march by doing what hundreds have done
spontaneously across theweb: Take your picture holding a sign that
tells your story, along withthe words 'I am the 99%,'" wrote Daniel
Mintz of MoveOn.org. John Stauber [22]is a longtime critic of
organizations like MoveOn.org and Center forAmerican Progress, and
founder of the Center for Media and Democracyand co-author of
"Toxic Sludge Is Good for You," a book that exposeshow corporations
and vested interests work to co-opt movements forchange. In an
interview, he stated, "Don't be fooled. This willprimarily be an
effort to co-opt the language and energy to salvageObama and the
Dem Party. This is how you co-opt movements. The OccupyWall
Streeters are not leader oriented. Van Jones will become the
voiceof this in the mainstream," "The same thing happened to
anti-war in 2007. MoveOn.org was, tothe mainstream, the voice of
that movement," Stauber continued. "It iseasy to read between the
lines. For one thing, there is no criticism ofObama in the 'Reclaim
the Dream' messaging and marketing. No one with anational
reputation is going to do anything to undermine hisre-election
efforts. There is huge money in supporting Obama andnothing but
pain and punishment in not - both desperation and selfinterest are
driving this at this point in time." As Stauber alluded to, one
only has to look a few years down thememory hole to see that, as
William Faulkner wrote in "Requiemfor a Nun [23]," "The past
isnever dead. It's not even past!" In an article about how the
Democratic Party, teaming up withMoveOn.org and other like-minded
apparatchiks, viewed the Iraq war as a"gift" to wield for electoral
purposes in the 2006 elections, Stauberwrote, "And how have the
Democrats treated their gift now that theycontrol Congress? The
Democratic House and Senate have continued tofund the war while
posturing against it ..." Later, in that same piece, Stauber
juxtaposed the operatives withIraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW),
an organization that is againstimperialistic foreign policy no
matter who is in office, writing,"[IVAW] are not the concoction of
a liberal think tank or PR firm; theyhave very little funding; they
are not avoiding criticism of Democrats;and they are not playing
political games trying to bank-shot Democraticcandidates into the
White House and Congress in 2008. They are in opennon-violent
revolt against US foreign policy, criticizing politiciansof all
stripes who would exploit the war for political gain." Fast forward
five years and a nearly parallel situation exists. Anindependent
and democratic economic justice movement, ground zero ofwhich
exists at the power center of economic injustice, namely
WallStreet, has now spread to every corner of the country in some
form orfashion within the framework of the Occupy Wall Street
movement. The Democratic Party vultures are waiting to swoop in,
steal thethunder and then make sure the focus is on electing
Democrats, who arejust as much to blame as Republicans for the
ascendancy of Wall Street.If anything, they are even more to blame
for the pacification role theyplay in co-opting the overwhelming
swath of the left time and timeagain, no matter what horrible
policies they pass. Will Occupy Wall Street of 2011 be a repeat of
the Iraq war of2006? Similar forces are at bay, that is for
certain. It will all depend on activists deciding whether they
choose to beused as a "gift," or if they choose to remain
independent of the forcesof co-option. Act four, to say the least,
should be interesting.
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
http://www.truth-out.org/print/7323
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
From: To: Subject: Date:
[email protected] on behalf of beka economopoulos
[email protected] Re: Re: [september17discuss]
MoveOn.Org and Friends Attempt to Co-Opt Occupy Wall Street
Movement Wednesday, October 12, 2011 4:29:45 AM
Here's the thing: our messaging, our strategy, and our tactics
must change based on the external landscape. When we become
embraced by the Democratic Party and its allies, we must go further
than what makes them comfortable. That's if we want to win more
than concessions and easy reforms ( that currently exist within the
realm of possibility), and achieve game-changing
substantive/structural reforms ( that currently live in the realm
of impossibility, that we didn't imagine we ever could see in our
lifetimes). We should aim for nothing less -- why aim for closing
up shop soon when we have no idea what we're capable of? Phase 1 =
vanguard moves in, initiates occupation, largely dismissed, but
staying power piques curiosity, and police misconduct/violence
draws attention and wins sympathy. Phase 2 = vanguards in other
cities recognize potential, initiate occupations. At the same time,
initial occupation gathers steam, grows, large membership orgs
endorse and give legitimacy that wasn't present before, now the
mainstream media start to change tune. Focus of coverage is human
interest story of life in the park; and what do they want? Phase 3
= mainstream media interest explodes, NGOs, labor, community, and
establishment orgs engage supporters, connect existing campaigns to
#occupy frame, amplify visibility and suggestion of social
movement. Democratic leadership embrace movement, as do
party-related and electorally focused orgs. Media coverage
attributes power to movement, queries whether it's a Tea Party for
the left, whether it will gain electoral power and legislative
victories. Phase 4 = ? We currently find ourselves in Phase 3.
Senior members of the White House administration, and the President
himself, have expressed support for OWS. Democracy for America, a
Howard Dean initiated group just sent an email blast to more than a
million members tonight selling yard signs that say "We Are the
99%" with co-branded urls: OccupyWallSt.org and
DemocracyforAmerica.org/occupy. OWS is embraced by the
establishment as a means to amplify existing agendae. Bloomberg
gives tacit "permission" for our occupation, effectively rendering
it nonthreatening and normalizing it. Result is rise in media
coverage of occupation as nuisance to neighbors. This is a natural
and necessary phase. So now what? We're in this for the long haul.
There are no "solutions" that can be presented quickly to make us
go away. And so there will be moments where our presence is no
longer an uncomfortable and unknown variable, but rather is
normalized and integrated. It's in those moments that we have to
push the envelop, pry open the space of possibility even farther.
We go as far as we can to destabilize, but maintainEmails come from
PST files that were linked to a post on biggovernment.com by Thomas
Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
momentum. And when that's the new "normal" then we go farther.
That's how change happens, how we shift the terrain and the terms
of the game. From an actions perspective, that means getting
tactical, and mobile, activating the rest of the city, executing
higher-risk actions, civil disobedience and arrests. From a media
perspective, we have to get ahead of the game. We no longer need to
legitimize. Or articulate the problem. Both are clearly
established. So, given this new moment how can we use media
strategically? We must draw a line, disavow the Democrats
explicitly, make our messaging a little uncomfortable. Yes,
perhaps, split the support, lest we not be co-opted. This will be
painful, internally, as it won't always achieve comfortable
consensus. But to hold this space and expand the realm of
possibility, we have to go farther than others are ready to go.
It's how this started and we can't be too shy to be bold. -b On
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 12:05 AM, Jon Good wrote: This is a thing that
keeps happening: we have a hard time recognizing the difference
between a group and the members of that group. The Democratic Party
is a corrupt money-machine organization whose leaders sell out
their constituents as they suckle from the poisonous teats of banks
and corporations, but its members are in the 99% and our potential
allies. The NYPD is a brutal engine of repression and persecution
paid off by the banks and whose culture of corruption gives
clemency to those who rape, murder, and beat the people they're
supposed to be protecting, but most individual cops are in the 99%
and sympathetic to our cause. And so on and so on...
On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 11:32 PM, Gabriel Johnson wrote: (Frowny
face.) I thought you guys liked me --glj On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at
11:20 PM, Jason Jones wrote: Only option now is brutal separation.
The democrats are the enemy. Smash capitalism! On Tue, Oct 11, 2011
at 11:19 PM, Jon Good wrote: " anyone trying to co-opt our movement
better be careful that they don't get swallowed by us. "+1000
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 11:16 PM, wrote:
That is %#$%ed up! That is the problem with not controlling our
message and not copyrighting our slogans, but we are getting free
advertising. Maybe the GA should put out a message condemning
their, or anybody's stealing our endorsement. One thing though,
anyone trying to co-opt our movement better be careful that they
don't get swallowed by us. On 10/11/11, Jason Jones wrote: I take
back what I said.
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/activities/635?akid=1400.1574445.C7OweO&rd=1&t=1
It's already happened.
On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 10:43 PM, Charles Lenchner wrote: Folks
might be surprised at the level of liberal/radical fraternization
that has been taking place since the Bloombergville stuff. The idea
that liberals were ignorant, then snarky, then busy taking over is
pure fantasy. I know some folks at Rebuild the Dream. They have no
intention of taking over OWS. That said, y'all know Max Berger? He
did the 'briefcase brigades' with 'the other 98%' group, left his
old job to work on economic issues from a grassroots, youth
perspective, and was then hired by RTD. You want to paint him as
some outsider liberal poaching off this movement? Just crazy. And a
LOT of the folks under attack as 'coopters' would fall into a
similar category. Is labor backed, former ACORN chapter New York
Communities for Change 'liberal'? Is the Transport Workers Union
'liberal'? That said, I'm not liberal. But some of my best friends
are. And I've dated some. My sister married one. Heck, I'm pretty
sure I've voted for a few in my day! So times really are
a-changin'. Perhaps it is time to let bygones be bygones and let
them integrate with folks like us. I lot of what I hear said about
'em is just plain ignorant. What we really need to worry about is
the People's Front of Judea. Charles On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 9:57
PM, Jason Jones wrote: Hi I am not a liberal. In fact I am
generally extremely antagonistic toward the position. In spite of
that, I agree with jemcgloin. OWS has so far been very successful
at building numbers without alienating. The expression of
frustration that we currently collectively represent clearly
targets financial centers, and doesn't preclude militant tactics
(like occupation). Be grateful for how far we've come so far. For
now its true we really are in this together. Until that changes
(allegiances change etc.) avoid divisiveness and use the
opportunity to push the whole toward the most radical ends. With
numbers we could really make something of this.
On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 9:23 PM, wrote: Hi I am a "liberal"
involved in the GA since the first day. We are supposed to be and
inclusive movement trying to gain support, not excluding liberals
because they didn't all jump in on day one. move-on has always
supported the democratic party. Their house parties have been going
on all year. I went to one in July and brought people from there to
the first NYCGA and moveon members have been active the whole time.
I am not a fan of the democratic party, and I don't think we should
be endorsing them or any other party or candidate, but we don't
need to say bad things about their members, only policies or
legislation we disagree with. The 99% is very big and chasing away
some that are close to our positions because they work within the
system is not a good idea. Diversity of tactics does not only mean
civil disobedience. It can also mean that other groupsEmails come
from PST files that were linked to a post on biggovernment.com by
Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
can attempt to pass legislation that helps people without our
condemning their existance. The moveon people that i know believe
that corporations are destroying the world and are trying to fight
it the way they know how. Go read the list of demands that they
came up with through a national voting system. Give them advise,
disagree with them but please don't come on here and claim that
they are trying to steal our movement. We are all in this together.
John On 10/11/11, David DeGraw wrote:
MoveOn.Org and FriendsAttempt to Co-Opt Occupy Wall Street
MovementTuesday 11 October 2011 by: Steve Horn, Truthout | News
Analysis Gandhi once said [3] ofgrowing movements of social
protestation, "First they ignore you, thenthey laugh at you, then
they fight you, then you win." The trajectoryof the everevolving
and growing Occupy Wall Street movement followsthe same pattern
almost to a "T," with slight variation.
Demonstrators with the Occupy Wall Street protests in Zucotti
Parkin New York, October 7, 2011. Protests in Wall Street section
of NewYork enter their third week, with similar efforts springing
up inBoston, Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle. (Photo: Michael
Appleton /The New York Times)
Now, apply that model to the most recent public relations
andmarketing ploys of organizations like MoveOn.org, the
ascendant"Reclaim the American Dream Movement" and the general
segment ofsociety author and journalist Chris Hedges calls the
"Liberal Class" inhis most recent book titled "The Death of the
Liberal Class [4]" (of which the former two are both apart). In so
doing, one can observe a perfect case study of the liberalclass in
action, in four distinct acts, with one exception: "then theyfight
you" can be replaced with "then they attempt to coopt
yourmovement." Act One - Getting Ignored: In the early
planningstages of Occupy Wall Street, few eyes were on those
working behind thescenes to make this vision a reality. With little
funding backing theircause, the activists calling for this action,
to those even paying anyattention to them at all (few and far
between), seemed quixotic or atthe very least, overly optimistic.
This was the case even to thosehighly sympathetic to the cause and
its accompanying ideology. How in the world does a rag-tag bunch of
activists take on thefinancial power center of the world that calls
the shots politically instatehouses around the country, on a
federal level and around theworld? Because the task was such a
monumental undertaking, theseactivists were essentially ignored all
throughout the planning stagesand into the opening days of the
occupation itself. The liberal class, predictably, was nowhere to
be seen in theplanning stages of Occupy Wall
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Emails come from PST files that were linked to a post on
biggovernment.com by Thomas Ryan. PDF by www.teapartycheer.com
Street, wholeheartedly ignoring thefact, or simply not even
knowing the fact, that this occupation was inthe works. Act Two -
Getting Laughed at: Once it was seenthat, while not yet a movement,
the people occupying Wall Street had,at the very least, legitimate
grievances, the liberal class resorted toscornful tactics like
mockery of the type of people in the movement -ad hominem attacks,
if you will. The scorn was well-depicted by liberal environmental
blogger,Grist's David Roberts, who tweeted [5],"I've been reading
about #occupywallstreet for the last hour or two& it's just
horrific. Practically designed to discredit leftistprotest." It was
also on perfect display with liberal blogger DavidAtkins, who
mockingly tweeted [6],"If you want to #occupywallstreet, 1) shave
2) wear some decent clothes3) coordinate signs about inequality 4)
get a media spokesperson." Thediatribe proceeded for multiple
tweets, Atkins having listed ten points. In a post titled
[7],"What's behind the scorn for the Wall Street protests?"
Salon.comblogger Glenn Greenwald aptly explained their behavior and
tactics,writing, "Any entity that declares itself an adversary of
prevailinginstitutional power is going to be viewed with hostility
byestablishment-serving institutions and their loyalists. That's
just thenature of protests that take place outside approved
channels, aninevitable by-product of disruptive dissent: those who
are most vestedin safeguarding and legitimizing establishment
prerogatives ... aregoing to be hostile to those challenges. As the
virtually universaldisdain in these same circles for WikiLeaks
(and, before that, for theIraq War protests) demonstrated: the more
effectively adversarial itis, the more establishment hostility it's
going to provoke." The liberal class, though, quickly realized that
Occupy Wall Streetwas gaining traction, with leaders of the left
like Francis Fox Piven [8],MichaelMoore [9], Naomi Klein
[10],Cornel West [11]and Joseph Stiglitz [12]joining the cause in
solidarity, and its leaders realized that it mustco-opt the
movement while time is still on its side. Act Three - Co-Option:
With Occupy Wall Streetoff the ground, but its longevity still in
flux, MoveOn.org and itscousin, the Center For American Progress
[13], and Van Jones' [14]Reclaim the American Dream Movement [15],
were nowhere to be found. Instead,they were busy planning the Take
BackThe American Dream Conference [16],which took place from
October 3 through October 5. "Taking b
