'Occupy' types

The problem I have with a few up here is that if the issue affect YOU, then you'd be up and arms about it. Most of you guys are affected, so you simply don't care who or what gets hurt. I suppose it's typical, but it reminds me of this saying.

First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.


At some point, something you stand for is going to be affected and nobody is going to be there to support you. If you don't take a stand for other people's plights and causes, then don't expect anything when it comes your turn. Trust me, there will be a your turn.

So far, I've had some of the posters up here push me into this category that I:

1) Hate corporations
2) Hate rich people
3) Jealous of people's success

The reality is you don't know me, my financial status or anything of the sort to make such comments. I will tell you that I have a cushy job as a network engineer for the state. I'm in the top 8% of salaries in the city I live in, and benefits out the ass. I haven't lost my house, declared bankruptcy, or underwater in debt. I have absolutely NOTHING to complain about. Banks haven't ****ed me over, and neither has any corporation.

That doesn't mean I can't see and understand people's plight in regards to these institutions. If I see something not right, I say something. I don't say something only because it affects me. Try caring for your fellow human mankind even if his plight doesn't affect you. You never know, one day you may need his help in your struggle. Then again, you are probably the kind of person who think you'll never need help. I guess it's easier to sit back, stereotype the individuals and mock their view points and protesting.

So are you giving funds to the movement?

I have and will more if need be. I've got a few friends that have attended (and still do) the Occupy movements. (Cali, NYC, and Dallas)

This protester cant get a job because there is too much homeland security and stuff.
You know...
You know...
You know...
I think she is Emmit Smiths sister.

Haftin' To Be Uproared - Occupy Atlanta - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OW56Z-0xwIQ)

And just so we're clear, rather than demonstrating a will to cover things up, I would suggest that the Rodney King affair demonstrates just how far the government will go to pursue justice when it comes to police abuse. The cops in the Rodney King beating were criminally charged and found not guilty by a jury who viewed the entire video not just the portions released to the public. They were subsequently recharged with civil rights violations and found guilty. Bottom line is, the State went to great lengths to secure significant sanctions of those cops.

But I digress ...

State lost out. It was the Feds that got the civil rights conviction.

Let's be honest. The only reason the Feds even bothered is because of the riot (and racial explosion) that happened after the not guilty verdict. There have been a many of other cases where it gets swept under the rug. You know this and I know this.

Had there been no video, this would have never came to light.

This protester cant get a job because there is too much homeland security and stuff.
You know...
You know...
You know...
I think she is Emmit Smiths sister.

Haftin' To Be Uproared - Occupy Atlanta - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OW56Z-0xwIQ)


Oh god, that was brutal!

:doh:

I guess the main thing for me is a) I don't fully understand what they are protesting and b) it seems like a lot of it is about some people having more success, however you define that (money, power, etc) than others.

But the way I see it, I'm as responsible as anyone else for not being part of the 1%. Do I wish made more money, had more pull in society, etc? Sure, but it's not like opportunities weren't afforded me. As I'm sure is the case for many protesting. I'm doing well, but I could have done better. I could have studied harder, done a better job along my career, whatever. My point is it seems, at least to me (and I've said this before), that a lot of this protesting is just to say "look at us, we're protesting" and that too few people involved are willing to take any responsibility of their own for where they are.

Oh god, that was brutal!

:doh:

Did you see this one?

7SwKxUz7osM&NR

Except that everyone, not just the protestors have a right to use public property. What if you live or work there? What if your livelihood requires others to be able to reach you there? What if your health or safety requires routine access to the area either b/c you live there or you need something from the area? As usual, it's just not as simple as you try to make it.



Undoubtedly, cops cover up cops actions. At the same time, I would suggest that police are also being subject to sanctions more often than at any time in history. In the era of internet, facebook and youtube, it is much more difficult for officers to escape scrutiny as they have in the past. Are there still abuses? Undoubtedly. Is there more accountability than there was even 30 years ago? I believe that also to be true.

And just so we're clear, rather than demonstrating a will to cover things up, I would suggest that the Rodney King affair demonstrates just how far the government will go to pursue justice when it comes to police abuse. The cops in the Rodney King beating were criminally charged and found not guilty by a jury who viewed the entire video not just the portions released to the public. They were subsequently recharged with civil rights violations and found guilty. Bottom line is, the State went to great lengths to secure significant sanctions of those cops.

But I digress ...


Give me a fcking break...the real bottom line is they were caught giving an Oscar worthy beat-down and managed to avoided getting their salad tossed in prison. It's no secrete that in America 10 white jurors let alone one is one too many to criminally convict white police officers "doing their job."

But hey, everyone deserves a fair trial and not guilty means not guilty. If lady Karma got to O.J. I am confident she will get at them too..

But the way I see it, I'm as responsible as anyone else for not being part of the 1%. Do I wish made more money, had more pull in society, etc? Sure, but it's not like opportunities weren't afforded me. As I'm sure is the case for many protesting. I'm doing well, but I could have done better. I could have studied harder, done a better job along my career, whatever. My point is it seems, at least to me (and I've said this before), that a lot of this protesting is just to say "look at us, we're protesting" and that too few people involved are willing to take any responsibility of their own for where they are.


That's a false illusion they want you to think Smoot. Truth is, you are born into a select group of people or you get lucky. I'll guarantee you there are people out there that have put in more effort, time, schooling than some of these high paid CEOs of corporations, but they'll never see the type of compensation.

It's almost the same way here in the state. You'd think the hard workers would get promoted, or those with education. Nope. It's a good ole boy network, and if you can shoot the shit, tell a good fishing story, then you are in there like swim wear.

Reminds me of this conference call we were on with my boss and our director. There was a new position opening up, and they were talking loosely about candidates for that job. My boss mentions one guy who would have been a 100% match for the position. He was liked, smart as hell, hard worker and knew what the hell he was doing. My boss then goes on to state...."Nah, they'd never give a guy like that the job, he's too valuable where he is".

In fact, the guy that got hired was a former employee here (that people hated), and was the worst candidate for the job and had the worst interview. Why'd he get it? Because the CIO and the guy under him were buddies with him and that's all that mattered.

This happens in corporations as well. Ivy league connections. Wealth connections. Sorry, but you can be middle class and work your ass off and never see the type of success like they will simply because of the circle you were born in. That doesn't mean we shouldn't work hard or strive to be better people, it just means that doing those doesn't equate to success on that level.

Did you see this one?

7SwKxUz7osM&NR



LOL...good god, these people are so stupid. That question was way too simple and could have been answered sensibly.

He just wants his tuition paid for, I want to own the Redskins. Come on Snyder, donate the Skins to me already!