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| War zone in California. Image from ABC. |
It's kind of inspiring to see the various groups all over the country and around the world, gathering for a cause. And so far, sticking with it. But the response by police and government has been really messed up in some places. "Beanbags" and "rubber bullets" sound harmless, but are actually capable of some damage. The response seems incredibly out-of-scale. The video from Occupy Oakland--where an Iraq War veteran was critically injured by police--looks like something out of Egypt earlier this year. Crazy.
[Excerpt]
Iraq War Vet Injured During Oakland Protests
A clash between Oakland police and Occupy Wall Street protesters left an Iraq War veteran hospitalized Wednesday after a projectile struck him in a conflict that came as tensions grew over demonstration encampments across the San Francisco Bay Area. . .
Read more at: ABC News
That is a myth about the GOP and Wall Street. Who bankrolled Obama's presidential bid and still gives money to him? Of course, it's Wall Street. Who made Freddie and Fannie give loans to people who were not qualified? Good Old Barney Frank and the Democrats.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there should be prosecutions for bankers and Wall Street Thugs who stole money but who is the AG right now?
As far as the protestor getting hurt- sorry, but if you are breaking the law and you resist, guess what, bad things may happen. I have no sympathy for these Occupy people. They choose to break the law, choose to resist and this maybe a consequence.
The Freddie and Fannie thing is something of a myth too. They made zero sub-prime loans. And don't forget that President Bush was pushing homes to poor people:
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/kNqQx7sjoS8
It simply can't be denied. As for your take on Occupy Oakland, I can't see how anybody could think that THAT level of a response was necessary. It was out of control. Besides, what law were they breaking, exactly. Isn't the right to peacably assemble guaranteed by the Constitution?
The Iraq veteran who was injured in Oakland is originally from Wisconsin (Onalaska, outside La Crosse), so his story has been closely followed here. Fortunately, he is expected to make a complete recovery.
ReplyDeleteMy issue with the Occupy movement is that it has become an amoeba for a wide variety of disaffected fringe types with demands for things that most Americans do not want our society to pay for. If it stuck to a specific goal with broad appeal, like imposing a tax on financial transactions, it could achieve something.
Also, the unwillingness of Occupy gatherings to pressure the abhorrent fringe elements to stop spouting anti-semitic screeds against Jewish bankers is no different than the Tea Party letting their racist fringe lend their voices at rallies.
I'm afraid the Occupy movement is going to become a sideshow footnote in our nation's political history.
It's good news that he's going to be okay.
ReplyDeleteYes, the movement is unfocused, perhaps because there is so much to be pissed off about! It should be evidence that this is not a focused, astro-turf effort like much of the tea party.
As for the group not internally ejecting some elements, I don't see how that would be done with no internal organizational structure, and they don't have one. According to Randi Rhodes, the media found the one anti-Jewish guy who has been roaming the streets of New York for years, saying the same thing. I hope it isn't any more than that.