OCCUPY WALL STREET

[Dominique]

Here I am again, talking about the pro's and con's of living in an *old* city neighborhood.

I think it is very important to patronize local businesses. Times are tough for the entire 99%! don't forget that. As we are asking the 1% to pay their share, I think those of us that can pay a little more, should. I give my money to as many businesses in my neighborhood as I can. CHOICE. Yes, it may cost me a dollar more. But it will keep that business here, and keep a local mom or dad working. (maybe that mom or dad doesn't have a car, or there is a reason real specific they are working at Mary's Nut and Bolt store)

I moved into this neighborhood 15 years ago, with promises of big things to come. GENTRIFICATION!! Revitalization. Well.....

To date: The elementary school has closed. Merged with one 6 miles miles away.

The Grocery store closed. Nearest one is 3.5 miles away.

The Post office sub station closed. Nearest one 1.5 miles away. That closed. Main post office 3 miles away.

Bus route cut significantly. No week end service unless you can walk one mile. Week day service routes are ok if you work....every 30 minutes, from 6a until 9a and again from 3p to 6p. two buses late night 11:45p and 12:30a. Holiday service, one every two hours.

Laundry mat closed.

Two banks moved away CREDIT UNIONS (TWO) STAYED!!

Major hospital 4 blocks away.

OK, Mostly I've told you what has left. This is the city people. Who would move into this neighborhood? We are walking distance to the major down town area.....16 blocks or less. Dense in senior citizens.

I patronize my local businesses because these are the things that make a neighborhood. The elderly people/ and the very poor, need these things to be here. They can't rely on mass transportation system to help them get around (mass transportation is free to them, paid for by the Pa. Lottery) what good is it, if it doesn't come into the neighborhood?

Absolutely, you have to force change. The rerouting of the buses had little effect on me. But you can bet I was at every meeting speaking. Basically I told them what I told you. I even tossed in some census numbers. These things effect everybody. Do not buy your stamps at a mac machine because it is convienient. How long has it been since you have used your post office? What will you be saying when your post office closes?

[SmoothButch]

[atomiczombie]

This guy was a guest on Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the Current channel tonight.

[Kätzchen]

Tonight, after work, I went down to our OWS campaign site (downtown by the Elk Fountain) and spent time there visiting with many supporters.

I got permission from supporters to share their stories here and for the photos I took: my night's visit started off a with locking myself out of my son's car....



"Solomon" (his street name) helped me unlock my car! He allowed me to take a photo of the sign he made for his tent (seen below). Solomon is Black and he has a rap sheet a mile long for 'breaking and entering.' He's been homeless for over 2 years. I told him tonight that I liked his street name a lot because of Solomon (in the bible) and to not assimilate because he's been labeled a felon due to his circumstances! He has a heart of gold! He has been part of the protest since it began here in Portland and I learned tonight that he was going to Eugene tomorrow to take up a post down there. I gifted him enough money to catch a bus to Eugene and donated the left over proceeds of my small winnings from a lottery ticket I bought last week to OWS tonight.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68856794@N08/6255753477/


The photo below is of Maggie and David - they just got married tonight at OWS... They have been out of work for some time now and have been at the OWS site since it began. I spoke with them for quite awhile tonight and they plan to stay for as long as they can here in Portland, but they may migrate to Eugene to participate there this weekend.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68856794@N08/6255753551/

In the photo below is Zach who manned the Information booth tonight! He was instrumental in helping me connect with "Solomon" to unlock my car!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68856794@N08/6256283962/

Here are posters that various supporters have made for OWS
(by the information booth)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68856794@N08/6256283426/

(I don't how to embed the photos here in this thread, but if someone knows a better way than just leaving a link to the photos, let me know asap tonight and I can resubmit this post)

[Kätzchen]

Well, for heaven's sake, I just got accidentally logged out from the system and can't amend my post above! *blush*


Many people have submitted written opinion to our local newspaper (The Oregonian) and here's a brief statement of support from a reader who lives in Vancouver (across the river from Portland):


There is a huge movement sweeping across the country as people take up occupation of public squares to express outrage over citizen suffering as a result of greedy, unethical and likely illegal actions on Wall Street.

Disparagers scoff that participants come from a variety of backgrounds and lack focus. Do not let anyone portray cohesive diversity as inarticulate disunity. The diversity of participants is one of the strongest statements of all.

JUDITH DAHLEN
Vancouver
(link to The Oregonian Blog)

Last second edition to this post:

I also met Heidie and Len - an elderly retired couple who spent years as public servants in the State of Oregon: They watched over me and 'Solomon' as he helped me to unlock my car. Just speaking with them and knowing that they support this movement brought me to tears tonight. Many people from all types of sectors in Portland are representing the OWS movement and I couldn't be more proud of the support people have given and continue to give in light of all the other events happening US-wide. ~D

[SoNotHer]

Disparagers scoff that participants come from a variety of backgrounds and lack focus. Do not let anyone portray cohesive diversity as inarticulate disunity. The diversity of participants is one of the strongest statements of all.

At the gym tonight, I watched two local Chicago stations give this air time. The FOX station, not surprisingly, portrayed this a protest of mostly "25 to 35 year olds." Well, I saw what I saw yesterday, and I wasn't the only person approaching a half century.

The newscast went on to offer that "many were unemployed, but some were employed." And the more FOX hopes to manipulate folks into seeing this movement as something specific to young, restless, unemployed folks, the more they continue to lose its own credibility (if that's possible).

[Kätzchen]

Originally Posted by SoNotHer

Disparagers scoff that participants come from a variety of backgrounds and lack focus. Do not let anyone portray cohesive diversity as inarticulate disunity. The diversity of participants is one of the strongest statements of all.

At the gym tonight, I watched two local Chicago stations give this air time. The FOX station, not surprisingly, portrayed this a protest of mostly "25 to 35 year olds." Well, I saw what I saw yesterday, and I wasn't the only person approaching a half century.

The newscast went on to offer that "many were unemployed, but some were employed." And the more FOX hopes to manipulate folks into seeing this movement as something specific to young, restless, unemployed folks, the more they continue to lose its own credibility (if that's possible).

You know what? I haven't owned a TV in years - for the very reasons you state above -- that media seems to manipulate (or shall I say, construe messages) according to the perspective media feels will garner the most attention or closely align with the viewing audience of said station????

I think social media -whether it occurs here on the Planet, FB, MS or other social networking sites- is probably the largest way people gather information and form opinion according to what source they deem is most rational to them.

Simultaneously, for me and maybe others, I don't always buy what media produces as an 'credible' accounting of news. I think people like me are not representative of the majority. That's not to say that my way of digesting communication is the best way ... but I guess what I am trying to say is that I think what we have going on within the medium of OWS is clearly, most likely, the closest thing we have to people actually participating in active democracy; ensuring that voice from the center, off-center, or even on the perimeter - the outskirts of the Bell Curve (those lovely little statistical 'trouble makers' ) whose voice is not all that often heard due to the cacaphony of the majority; thus, an indication that we as a people, diverse as we are, are capable of making sure that our voices are heard - one way or the other.

I hope my idea makes sense (above).

I appreciate your comments and share the same sentiment, the urgency, to advocate this social cause (OWS).

~D

[Kätzchen]

Originally Posted by Yellow band

Here I am again, talking about the pro's and con's of living in an *old* city neighborhood.

I think it is very important to patronize local businesses. Times are tough for the entire 99%! don't forget that. As we are asking the 1% to pay their share, I think those of us that can pay a little more, should. I give my money to as many businesses in my neighborhood as I can. CHOICE. Yes, it may cost me a dollar more. But it will keep that business here, and keep a local mom or dad working. (maybe that mom or dad doesn't have a car, or there is a reason real specific they are working at Mary's Nut and Bolt store)

I moved into this neighborhood 15 years ago, with promises of big things to come. GENTRIFICATION!! Revitalization. Well.....

To date: The elementary school has closed. Merged with one 6 miles miles away.

The Grocery store closed. Nearest one is 3.5 miles away.

The Post office sub station closed. Nearest one 1.5 miles away. That closed. Main post office 3 miles away.

Bus route cut significantly. No week end service unless you can walk one mile. Week day service routes are ok if you work....every 30 minutes, from 6a until 9a and again from 3p to 6p. two buses late night 11:45p and 12:30a. Holiday service, one every two hours.

Laundry mat closed.

Two banks moved away CREDIT UNIONS (TWO) STAYED!!

Major hospital 4 blocks away.

OK, Mostly I've told you what has left. This is the city people. Who would move into this neighborhood? We are walking distance to the major down town area.....16 blocks or less. Dense in senior citizens.

I patronize my local businesses because these are the things that make a neighborhood. The elderly people/ and the very poor, need these things to be here. They can't rely on mass transportation system to help them get around (mass transportation is free to them, paid for by the Pa. Lottery) what good is it, if it doesn't come into the neighborhood?

Absolutely, you have to force change. The rerouting of the buses had little effect on me. But you can bet I was at every meeting speaking. Basically I told them what I told you. I even tossed in some census numbers. These things effect everybody. Do not buy your stamps at a mac machine because it is convienient. How long has it been since you have used your post office? What will you be saying when your post office closes?

You mention the post office, bus system and small business imploding in our current economy.

Today, at work, I performed an expensive service and the customer handed me a Hundred Dollar bill and while I was presenting her change and as she was leaving her 'tip,' somehow the customer swiped back the $20 dollar bill... I didn't realize how fast it happened, but she ended up not paying fully for her service. I doubt she will ever come back and make it right. When we counted the till tonight, I handed back the tip she supposedly left me because I won't be a part of cheating - even if it hurt me the most.

Also, the USPS is downsizing it's locations and service centers here. I have a client who has logged 24 years of service who will lose his job by the end of this month. He *was* full time; he's been working a reduced schedule and lost considerable benefits under the federal pay system, et al.

Also, recently, a long tenured bus driver from Tri-Met kicked a young Latino mother and her baby off the bus in the dark (late at night), and other riders left the bus in protest over the treatment the bus driver gave to her. She's a student learning English at a local PCC campus in the Beaverton/Hillsboro area and her professors saw the news story about her and helped her to make a statement to law enforcement (and TriMet investigators) about what happened that night. She didn't feel like she had any choice but to leave the bus with her crying baby - which according to others on the bus, was not crying as badly as the bus driver portrayed the situation. The bus driver is no longer an employee (or maybe still relieved of duty pending the investigation), but racism is alive and well in the suburbs of the Portland Metro area and in Portland as well.

[T4Texas]

[QUOTE=Yellow band;439284]
Absolutely, you have to force change.

I think those who oppose OWS are waiting for some violent explosion so they can institute martial law and become even more oppressive. No one knows where all this will go. I believe as many have said the best ways to fight are to move your money, support small business, and let your public officials know your displeasure with the way they vote or make policy decisions. What they forget is the general public is what makes this country tick, not just a handful of politicians or a president, or a CEO. They might hold the reigns of power, but its still John Q. public making it all work. WE have the power to decide where our money goes and what we spend it on. These folks are afraid because they know this thing could become a serious grass roots movement that will alter the way they profit. Its always all about the dollar no matter how you look at it.
You do have to force change because otherwise its not going to happen. But you don't need a mob to force change. You do it quietly by using your credit union instead of your bank. By not patronizing companies like WalMart. By telling your elected officials they need to work for their constituents instead of some lobbyist or they can forget re-election. Just occupying public spaces is not going to make it work.
I feel if change is not forthcoming, this country is going to be in a hella mess. We already have a debt that is out of control and will take years to fix. We import so much more than we export and have allowed China to overrun our country with mass poorly made goods. We have outsourced so much that if our international creditors shut us down tomorrow, we'd be screwed. We waste money on wars that will never be won or serve the interests of either us or the countries we fight in. We have a president who appears to be more concerned about his re-election than running the country. How many times in the last few years has wall street almost been on the verge of financial collapse? I think people have no idea what will really happen if this economy bottoms out and I fear we are getting close.
Those in power have not been working for you. They have been working for their own interests and filling their own pockets for years now. We need to do a house cleaning in washington and get some people in office who are truly concerned about the mom and pop business owners, the people on public assistance who want to get off it, the unemployed who get caught up in a cycle of benefits vs taking a job. I feel until we do this house cleaning, the problem is not going to get better.

[persiphone]

[quote=T4Texas;439767]

Originally Posted by Yellow band

Absolutely, you have to force change.

I think those who oppose OWS are waiting for some violent explosion so they can institute martial law and become even more oppressive. No one knows where all this will go. I believe as many have said the best ways to fight are to move your money, support small business, and let your public officials know your displeasure with the way they vote or make policy decisions. What they forget is the general public is what makes this country tick, not just a handful of politicians or a president, or a CEO. They might hold the reigns of power, but its still John Q. public making it all work. WE have the power to decide where our money goes and what we spend it on. These folks are afraid because they know this thing could become a serious grass roots movement that will alter the way they profit. Its always all about the dollar no matter how you look at it.
You do have to force change because otherwise its not going to happen. But you don't need a mob to force change. You do it quietly by using your credit union instead of your bank. By not patronizing companies like WalMart. By telling your elected officials they need to work for their constituents instead of some lobbyist or they can forget re-election. Just occupying public spaces is not going to make it work.
I feel if change is not forthcoming, this country is going to be in a hella mess. We already have a debt that is out of control and will take years to fix. We import so much more than we export and have allowed China to overrun our country with mass poorly made goods. We have outsourced so much that if our international creditors shut us down tomorrow, we'd be screwed. We waste money on wars that will never be won or serve the interests of either us or the countries we fight in. We have a president who appears to be more concerned about his re-election than running the country. How many times in the last few years has wall street almost been on the verge of financial collapse? I think people have no idea what will really happen if this economy bottoms out and I fear we are getting close.
Those in power have not been working for you. They have been working for their own interests and filling their own pockets for years now. We need to do a house cleaning in washington and get some people in office who are truly concerned about the mom and pop business owners, the people on public assistance who want to get off it, the unemployed who get caught up in a cycle of benefits vs taking a job. I feel until we do this house cleaning, the problem is not going to get better.

yes but it's important that the people come together and stand together if for nothing else than to say we have been wronged. it's important because we are trapped in a place where we have no choices. we have have no choices as consumers because everything on shelves in stores across America ...it's all made in China. we have no food choices (and the fact that our food supply was mentioned in the OWS declaration really struck a chord with me) because our food supply has been quietly becoming monopolized and being replaced, literally, with poisonous chemicals. if for nothing else.....the people need to stand up and say that they are not ignorant to the goings on of the widespread corruption that has become our country and say NO to it. we have no choices in democracy because we've lost so many freedoms in the name of security that we can't even protest in parks that our tax dollars pay for without getting arrested or pepper sprayed. even when the people come together and elect the right guy as president he's so crippled by government infighting that not a lot happens in our favor. we have no choices. deregulation has taken the power of choice out of the people's hands and put that power into the hands of corporations that can pirate you and not be held accountable. we have judges on the supreme court who have been caught lying, evading taxes, and taking money from lobbyists to pass judgement that further the corporate agenda and nothing is being done about it. because we have no choices. the people absolutely need to come together in masses and stand together and fight. freedoms are not free. we had to fight to get them and we have to fight to keep them and we should fight back when we lose them.

on a side note.....it took months of a group of women protesting and some endured jail time and abuse....to get women the right to vote. and that was LESS than one hundred years ago.