General Discussion

JohnnyRingo

(20,870 posts)

240. I don't know, the OWS cause easily predates Obama's college days.

Mon Dec 19, 2011, 12:36 AM

Dec 2011

One might opine that Obama should haved speared the money beast in the chest and brought about such a social rennaisance by the end of his first term that we'd all be firmly in the middle class, but I think 30+ years of corporate greed may be quite a formidible dragon to slay.

Is OWS working? What progress have you seen so far? The media already gave its parting yawn, and even the protesters must know by now that they really can't occupy anything for long. As I recall, the reaction to OWS was also laid at Obama's feet because he didn't step up and endorse the movement in a great FDR speech that let corporate money rain down from the Wall Street windows like so much confetti on new Years Eve. Joe Biden didn't even stop in and join a drum circle while he was in town. If protesters want to occupy public land they have to aquire a taste for tear gas and violence, like the Bonus Soldiers of WWI and the Native Americans at Alcatraz in 1969. Neither occupation ended well and accomplished little.

What many fail to see is that it isn't the protesting that causes a negative reacton from government officials, it's the occupation. I can go to downtown Youngstown every day of the week for months and protest my cause, and no one will bother me. It's when I announce I'm going to live there that I can expect trouble. The beef isn't about squelching free speech, it's about the settlement itself.

Occupations turn into tent cities. Tent cities turn into shanty towns, and those become urban slums on public land, usually named after the mayor or president in office (see Hooverville). No public official will welcome that, and I'm afraid failure is it's destiny in the 21st century.

I'm all for the movement against wealth disparity, I just think there must be a better way. I can't pretend to know the answer to reversing what has become an embedded American tradition of amassed wealth, but protests have a shelf life. Many people my age still believe we ended the Viet Nam war with guitar solos, but truth is it was a obviously long and arduous process that involved many factions.

Walter Cronkite did more to end the war than Abbie Hoffman and Jimi Hendrix put together.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_Alcatraz

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For all you people who seek attention with nothing good to say about Obama.... [View all] samplegirl Dec 2011 OP

As I said in the previously locked for wrong place thread hobbit709 Dec 2011 #1

I think it swings the other way even more. Control-Z Dec 2011 #7

Obviously not. But the OP is addressing those who are consistently anti-Obama. pnwmom Dec 2011 #254

REALLY? ANOTHER invitation to leave? jtrockville Dec 2011 #2

so be it then.......... samplegirl Dec 2011 #30

No thanks. As I said, I'm staying put. jtrockville Dec 2011 #38

"lock stepping" ? surfdog Dec 2011 #161

So now criticism = lies and slander? jtrockville Dec 2011 #237

There are other Democrats in Congress whose stances on policies I agree with more... Luminous Animal Dec 2011 #46

You don't get to decide that. Zhade Dec 2011 #50

Come the GE ... You. Just. May. Be. Fucking. Leaving. 11 Bravo Dec 2011 #230

I think you do our President a disservice obamanut2012 Dec 2011 #55

You first... derby378 Dec 2011 #58

Sorry, but cult of personality nadinbrzezinski Dec 2011 #87

Thank you, nadinb! FredStembottom Dec 2011 #196

This is because people are in the streets nadinbrzezinski Dec 2011 #201

Yes. FredStembottom Dec 2011 #238

Because it is a normal response nadinbrzezinski Dec 2011 #239

If you don't hold your elected leaders accountable, you accomplish the exact opposite of what you TheEuclideanOne Dec 2011 #140

He has A through F planned for his second term, including whatever action SammyWinstonJack Dec 2011 #223

Yeah, and that does get back to my point as well. TheEuclideanOne Dec 2011 #226

talk about sounding right wing! lark Dec 2011 #154

"REal Dems support diversity of opinion", they do untill you start talking religion. leftyohiolib Dec 2011 #170

It's an invitation to grow a brain. MjolnirTime Dec 2011 #178

Copied from my reply to you the first time you attempted this... ScreamingMeemie Dec 2011 #3

Can't we all unionworks Dec 2011 #4

What a silly little post. Le Taz Hot Dec 2011 #5

This message was self-deleted by its author HereSince1628 Dec 2011 #6

You've got a great start there with the ellipses there though! Starry Messenger Dec 2011 #8

Excessive, incorrect use of ellipses always warms me up! ScreamingMeemie Dec 2011 #9

I wasn't going to mention it but Le Taz Hot Dec 2011 #10

Yeah, that got me, too obamanut2012 Dec 2011 #56

The atmosphere here is no different than it was in 2000 AtomicKitten Dec 2011 #11

Maybe turn it around: How did that swing to the "hard center" serve you, Al? Romulox Dec 2011 #13

I'm not going to take the bait. I had enough of it in 2000. AtomicKitten Dec 2011 #14

That's fine. I don't think I've met anyone willing to defend Al Gore's NAFTA, WTO advocacy. History Romulox Dec 2011 #18

Gore evolved but even then he was a million times better than Bush. Lord Helmet Dec 2011 #93

So did Michigan--in to a MUCH POORER place. Gore can "evolve" all he wants. He's still responsible Romulox Dec 2011 #163

Oh you BROUGHT the bait! SaintPete Dec 2011 #69

Funny, I didn't think DU existed until 2001. Fuddnik Dec 2011 #139

Sorry, Fuddnik. I didn't see your post. RUMMYisFROSTED Dec 2011 #153

Really? AtomicKitten Dec 2011 #197

All I resorted to was the factual date. RUMMYisFROSTED Dec 2011 #225

See post #150 RUMMYisFROSTED Dec 2011 #151

DU didn't start until 2001. RUMMYisFROSTED Dec 2011 #150

I think you know what I meant AtomicKitten Dec 2011 #187

they know exactly what you meant. nt dionysus Dec 2011 #203

Who put Samplegirl in charge of acceptable discussion on DU? A sticky would've been nice! nt Romulox Dec 2011 #12

She should just be quiet otohara Dec 2011 #62

On the contrary--she's the only one who should get to express her feelings. If anyone else does it, Romulox Dec 2011 #241

If you need a break from the detractors NavyDem Dec 2011 #15

THAT! is a good suggestion! nt Vanje Dec 2011 #31

LOL, really? MuseRider Dec 2011 #16

Well said Remember Me Dec 2011 #88

yeah, whatever happened to "holding his feet to the fire"? StarsInHerHair Dec 2011 #96

The fire got a little too hot U4ikLefty Dec 2011 #134

no no, those are made of a sort of plastic, so they'll just shrink & melt a little, but gee I hope StarsInHerHair Dec 2011 #137

What if we don't want to settle for being useful idiots? Riftaxe Dec 2011 #17

Then you'll settle for a republican president Estevan Dec 2011 #198

I don't recall when you became an admin... quinnox Dec 2011 #19

Then you'll settle for a republican president Estevan Dec 2011 #189

So let me get this straight... SomethingFishy Dec 2011 #20

A web page to help you with that tricky word pair: boppers Dec 2011 #107

That's pretty elitist Estevan Dec 2011 #190

+1 Cameron27 Dec 2011 #195

The grammar was fine. boppers Dec 2011 #211

Yes pointing out Estevan Dec 2011 #219

No good deed goes unpunished. boppers Dec 2011 #221

Our country desperately needs to move to the left. dawg Dec 2011 #21

Great point -- so true. nt Remember Me Dec 2011 #89

This message was self-deleted by its author Bunny Dec 2011 #22

+1 QC Dec 2011 #24

recommended quinnox Dec 2011 #26

+10 emilyg Dec 2011 #32

Seriously. Her writing wasn't even especially impressive. Zhade Dec 2011 #51

"her ego" quinnox Dec 2011 #54

Our very own Dorothy Parker. WorseBeforeBetter Dec 2011 #100

Oh look! A gaggle of bullies Estevan Dec 2011 #232

Or that mug shot. Fuddnik Dec 2011 #142

+1000 paulk Dec 2011 #57

'Left in a huff' after posting some of the most divisive writings ever on DU. jannyk Dec 2011 #117

+ 1000 Shining Jack Dec 2011 #129

Nance Greggs had a whole web site sufrommich Dec 2011 #168

Yeah, I amazed at the audacity fascisthunter Dec 2011 #169

I keep WAITING for Obama to do SOMEthing "good, so I could talk about it, but I'm still waiting. nt 99th_Monkey Dec 2011 #23

You just want him to do something for you. You ignore all the people he has helped. MjolnirTime Dec 2011 #25

..."all the people he has helped" Vanje Dec 2011 #33

and Vanje Dec 2011 #34

And nobody else, right? Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #37

I think that you got a point. Michael Fisher Munds Dec 2011 #123

GLBTQ. Underpaid women suing for back wages. boppers Dec 2011 #109

2.5 million more young people on the health insurance rolls... bhikkhu Dec 2011 #119

Ridiculous ProfessorGAC Dec 2011 #155

What low energy prices? eilen Dec 2011 #181

My children would have no Health Insurance without Barack Obama, so take your derision and shove it! MjolnirTime Dec 2011 #177

Let's make a more complete list of "all the people he has helped", shall we? Zoeisright Dec 2011 #218

And did you read the other post suggesting that the Obama admin has bee much better than we think? housewolf Dec 2011 #39

I hope you have much patience slay Dec 2011 #41

Oh, so sorry. I guess they forget to issue Obama his magic wand and Superman suit. RBInMaine Dec 2011 #131

here's some leftyohiolib Dec 2011 #175

Jesus Wouldn't Be Able to Work With This Do Nothing Congress otohara Dec 2011 #27

The OP can't even take dissent on DU. Zhade Dec 2011 #52

I Don't Hate President Obama otohara Dec 2011 #61

I don't hate him either... nebenaube Dec 2011 #78

I think the OP is completely mistaken. Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #63

You outrage is noted U4ikLefty Dec 2011 #136

"OWS would eat her alive -- there's not much love for Obama there!" Number23 Dec 2011 #82

+1 emulatorloo Dec 2011 #99

Zhade has actually been to an Occupy & got involved U4ikLefty Dec 2011 #135

So have I Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #180

Thank you. Number23 Dec 2011 #215

Suuuure you have. U4ikLefty Dec 2011 #224

The subject of President Obama didn't come up. Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #228

That was the point of Zhade's post. U4ikLefty Dec 2011 #229

"Demonizing" Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #233

As I thought...you have nothing. U4ikLefty Dec 2011 #234

I have no idea what the hell you're talking about. Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #235

OMFG. I just figured out what it is you're asking. Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #236

So go vote for Nader, thus helping the PUKES, and then you can whine even louder. RBInMaine Dec 2011 #132

I have been a reader/participant - Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #28

Astute, thanks! Mira Dec 2011 #49

Good post. I myself am a frequent critic of Obama but I give him credit when Duct Tape Dec 2011 #75

I am always drawn to the opinions - Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #112

Nice post! Number23 Dec 2011 #83

And vice versa. Michael Fisher Munds Dec 2011 #124

You have three posts in this thread. And none of them make any sense Number23 Dec 2011 #127

Makes sense to me and probably to a lot of others as well. Shining Jack Dec 2011 #205

Is there a point to your nastiness, Shining Jackass? Number23 Dec 2011 #214

+1 Estevan Dec 2011 #220

Shining Jackass? Shining Jack Dec 2011 #251

Yes, because posting in a thread Number23 Dec 2011 #252

I agree. Shining Jack Dec 2011 #255

Yes, because "nice post" is such an insult Number23 Dec 2011 #257

Let's see: Michael Fisher Munds Dec 2011 #259

You again? Number23 Dec 2011 #260

the "Gonzo" critic is another style I'd add to your observations, Summer BlancheSplanchnik Dec 2011 #165

Well said. (nt) redqueen Dec 2011 #200

+ 1,000,000,000... sibelian Dec 2011 #227

Such selfish grandstanding Bluenorthwest Dec 2011 #29

A clarification, please? Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #43

A chorus line of straw men. EFerrari Dec 2011 #59

Strawmen: A trite little phrase - Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #64

"Strawmen" is in fact not a phrase. EFerrari Dec 2011 #68

"Strawmen: A trite little phrase -often invoked when one has no valid response to queries posed." Number23 Dec 2011 #86

I guess. As long as you don't understand what it means. Jakes Progress Dec 2011 #91

I am fully aware of what the phrase means, thanks for your NEVER ENDING concern! Number23 Dec 2011 #94

You're welcome. Count on me. Jakes Progress Dec 2011 #95

"Straw men" isn't a phrase, it's a term. The error registers somewhere on the Gregs scale EFerrari Dec 2011 #103

"A Chorus Line of Strawmen" Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #113

And "get a grip" is not an actual verb but an expression Number23 Dec 2011 #115

Wrong. No one said "get a grip" was a verb so now, you've added yet another straw man to the thead. EFerrari Dec 2011 #245

LOL It took you two days to come up with this? Number23 Dec 2011 #247

looks like you are trying to hard to destroy an argument fascisthunter Dec 2011 #249

And it looks like you're leaping into a conversation that was over two days ago Number23 Dec 2011 #250

no... I think you are trying to lead the reader fascisthunter Dec 2011 #248

Wow, you're good. Michael Fisher Munds Dec 2011 #125

People have paid good money for what we sometimes have here for free. Kurovski Dec 2011 #258

well done fascisthunter Dec 2011 #173

Thanks for saying that Estevan Dec 2011 #192

Could be worse. You could tire yourself actually reading the thread. EFerrari Dec 2011 #246

Here's a hint: the President says gay people are not 'sanctified' and straights are Bluenorthwest Dec 2011 #79

Would you give it a rest please? Number23 Dec 2011 #85

Are we really that interesting? NO! jannyk Dec 2011 #118

Your compulsion to respond for someone else (and the exclamation point) sure convinced me... Number23 Dec 2011 #120

"For God's sake there is not ONE member of the BOG that is against gay marriage." Shining Jack Dec 2011 #130

I don't recall Obama ever saying - Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #105

Nobody was objecting to her "support" of Obama, and I believe you know that Remember Me Dec 2011 #90

I was not responding to the OP - Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #108

Actually, I saw a post/thread get hidden d/t criticism in that group. So, that poster is correct. eilen Dec 2011 #182

I'm new here - Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #191

Why not just go to Fright-Wing forums to complain about Obama, wouldn't that make more sense? FarLeftFist Dec 2011 #35

no, it wouldn't SaintPete Dec 2011 #73

I feel the same way madokie Dec 2011 #36

at least you are honest about it quinnox Dec 2011 #44

I'll say something good about him - he has nice shoes slay Dec 2011 #40

He looks FANTASTIC in a white cotton shirt Vanje Dec 2011 #42

Oooh, yeah! And somebody please post the shirtless body-surfing pic. Hubba hubba! kath Dec 2011 #53

That's so funny! Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #114

Lol! Michael Fisher Munds Dec 2011 #126

I heart Bo! nt Vanje Dec 2011 #157

"For all you people who seek attention with nothing good to say about Obama" blackspade Dec 2011 #45

it's called criticism, themadstork Dec 2011 #47

Obama is a snappy dresser. Quartermass Dec 2011 #48

I agree with you and I appreciate your attempt Maraya1969 Dec 2011 #60

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Dec 2011 #65

6 hours and you have yet to return to see what you have wrought... ScreamingMeemie Dec 2011 #66

Apparently you have not discovered that opening posts you disagree with is not mandatory. nt NorthCarolina Dec 2011 #67

"So just for today.............I will remember some of her insipiring posts and lift myself..." unkachuck Dec 2011 #70

A jury voted to KEEP this vile hate thread? REALLY? Odin2005 Dec 2011 #71

which tells you all you need to know about the jury system /nt SaintPete Dec 2011 #76

pretty obvious that the jury system is a failure paulk Dec 2011 #102

not only that, but I got a lecture from one of the jurors Enrique Dec 2011 #147

Well that's interesting... Cameron27 Dec 2011 #156

Don't blame the messenger. nt Deep13 Dec 2011 #72

I'll be glad when 2012 is over. I'm rather tired of discussing serious pressing issues mmonk Dec 2011 #74

actually I think there are more who seek attention PatrynXX Dec 2011 #77

Thought this was a discussion board, not a cheerleading board.... JCMach1 Dec 2011 #80

This OP posted and ran off in apparent shame Bluenorthwest Dec 2011 #81

maybe she's working StarsInHerHair Dec 2011 #98

as calls for unity go, this seems pretty divisive n/t fishwax Dec 2011 #84

Well said. Michael Fisher Munds Dec 2011 #122

it seems more a call for uniformity than for unity SaintPete Dec 2011 #145

OFFS. crim son Dec 2011 #92

I don't know where Nance Greggs is now, but a couple of days ago she was still tblue37 Dec 2011 #97

As Chairman Mao once put it, "The people must speak freely and the reactionaries must be silenced" Douglas Carpenter Dec 2011 #101

*YAWN* Skittles Dec 2011 #104

I'll need to pop more popcorn if this thread grows any bigger. Solly Mack Dec 2011 #106

Something good about Obama napoleon_in_rags Dec 2011 #110

+100 BlancheSplanchnik Dec 2011 #179

I agree, not photo-op-ism at all. napoleon_in_rags Dec 2011 #217

DU allows constructive criticism. Without that what kind of forum would this be? totodeinhere Dec 2011 #111

You are right and if you accept constructive criticism... Kablooie Dec 2011 #116

Sanctimonious much? Michael Fisher Munds Dec 2011 #121

K & R ellisonz Dec 2011 #128

So we are not entitled to our opinions? Sherman A1 Dec 2011 #133

love it or leave it? piratefish08 Dec 2011 #138

Tell her to get over here Rex Dec 2011 #141

Yes, let's all just shut up and wave our flags like good Americans deutsey Dec 2011 #143

People in the Democratic party are a diverse group of people. William769 Dec 2011 #144

Wish there will still an unrec option. This is nothing and says nothing of substance/nt jimlup Dec 2011 #146

It's not WANTING attention, it's trying to DRAW attention to the fact we've been sold out. Faith No More Dec 2011 #148

that and draw attention to how disgusting many of Obama's policies have been spooked911 Dec 2011 #171

I call this the Grover Norquist mentality. sarcasmo Dec 2011 #149

This thread makes me really miss the hide function from DU2. nt justiceischeap Dec 2011 #152

Nance Greggs????? RetroLounge Dec 2011 #158

How dare you? She's a literary genius! Shining Jack Dec 2011 #207

stupid post fascisthunter Dec 2011 #159

+1 sarcasmo Dec 2011 #162

It would appear... hlthe2b Dec 2011 #160

That's how change happens, with people complaining about something... it's really ellementary got root Dec 2011 #164

Speaking of " . . . people who seek attention with nothing good to say . . ." nt bertman Dec 2011 #166

Yes! It's groupthink or nothing! USA! Obama! Support the troops! Social Security on the Table! Karmadillo Dec 2011 #167

Wow, your feet must be hot. nt eilen Dec 2011 #172

accusatory "you people" call-out threads are a vile and disgusting form of discourse carolinayellowdog Dec 2011 #174

It is the reponsibility of the people in a democracy to hold public servants accountable. Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2011 #176

People like that get stomped on repeatedly by poster after poster. I don't think they dare do that Overseas Dec 2011 #183

it's troubling paulk Dec 2011 #184

Agreed, this OP turns my stomach Jim_Shorts Dec 2011 #199

Somehow, this was the first thread I saw today... RevStPatrick Dec 2011 #185

Absolutely brilliant post! Wish I could write like that. jannyk Dec 2011 #222

Brilliant? From one OP she opines that the poster is 'shallow and not that bright'? stevenleser Dec 2011 #256

Are you certain that your enemy even exists outside your imagination? saras Dec 2011 #186

Notice all the extremely defensive replies to your OP, "who made you an admin?", "you don't own the apocalypsehow Dec 2011 #188

I noticed. Robb Dec 2011 #193

samplegirl makes an OP and one reply, abandons the thread, and the thread burns on without her. racaulk Dec 2011 #194

+1 slay Dec 2011 #206

kick dionysus Dec 2011 #202

OBAMA is the STAR that is going to lead us out of the TPARTY NATIONAL DESERT! CarmanK Dec 2011 #204

I feel the same about the "he's doing his best so you can't complain" vanity threads Doctor_J Dec 2011 #208

Really!!!??? Phlem Dec 2011 #209

I'm not going to apologize for doing what Roosevelt applauded, especially mother earth Dec 2011 #210

Amen. I'll never understand how this forum became a rally point for demanding one term for Obama JohnnyRingo Dec 2011 #212

Isn't it more a reflection of being fed up with simply not being represented by the elected? mother earth Dec 2011 #231

I don't know, the OWS cause easily predates Obama's college days. JohnnyRingo Dec 2011 #240

Occupy has only just begun. They will re-emerge despite the very best efforts to minimize and mother earth Dec 2011 #242

I hope you're right. JohnnyRingo Dec 2011 #243

Whatever gets us there quicker...I am a total believer in unions, there absolutely will be a mother earth Dec 2011 #244

I would suggest davidthegnome Dec 2011 #213

I'm just surprised FloridaJudy Dec 2011 #216

smiling Mr Dixon Dec 2011 #253