Occupying the Red States

[ThatsMyBarack]

How do they pull it off? I'd think protestors in TX, TN, AZ, etc., would be a small minority, but I guess they're not!

http://occupynashville.org/

http://occupyphoenix.net/

http://occupydallas.org/

Well, you get the idea....

[MedleyMisty]

1. Umm, every human who lives in a certain area

is not a carbon copy of a stereotype?

Personally, I don't judge anyone by their representatives. Consider gerrymandering, voter suppression, Diebold, etc.

[ThatsMyBarack]

2. Glad to hear that.

[Texasgal]

3. Austin has a pretty good crowd.

Why would you think they are a minority? People are pissed, no matter where they live!

occupyaustin.org

[ThatsMyBarack]

4. I'm just thinking Repuke-type people would...

Either counter-protest or just not care. You know, like the anti-war movement.

[Texasgal]

6. Red States

have become more purple now. Just so you know. :)

[Capitalocracy]

5. While I've been stuck here in Argentina

all my old friends have been making their presence felt Occupying Lawrence, Kansas. Kansas City, too. You can't get a much more consistently red state than that.

Edit: Here are my fellow Townies protesting in front of the bank that screwed me personally over but good:

[ThatsMyBarack]

7. Good!

Hope they are holding up okay.... :D

[Shagbark Hickory]

8. The 2008 election result in TN was a million five to a million one.

I'm rounding.

But you get my point. Which is just because a state is red or blue does not make it exclusively one way or the other. Far from it.

[Cal Carpenter]

9. The Occupy protests are not partisan

and thank goodness for that.

[PeaceNikki]

10. lol. In Milwaukee it sure is.

Thank Jeebus. Tons of Recall Walker efforts, disgust at GOP tactics here, pride in our state Democrats, and the obligatory handful of Paulistinians. I suspect Madison even more so but I haven't been there in a few months.

[Cal Carpenter]

12. That's unfortunate

That's cooptation and will weaken the movement.

I've been to a few sites including NYC and there was virtually no overtly partisan participation, aside from a few Paul opportunists that everyone ignored. At the meetings - from GA to working groups - there is deliberate effort to keep things nonpartisan.

I understand we are posting on a partisan website so I know my sentiment may not be very popular, but the strength of this movement comes from being totally separate from the 2-party system. Many (if not most) of the Occupy participants are independents or fed up with the parties and don't want the movement to be coopted by the Dems or the Repubs.

The few polls (including a pretty scientific one in NYC) have indicated this sentiment among occupiers as well.

[PeaceNikki]

13. I say it's perfect. In this state there is a clear delineation of good and evil.

We're trying to recall evil. Wisconsin Democrats are fighting for the people and the more people know that , the better.

And further, the OWS movement was born from the Wisconsin protests that helped make it possible. There is no "coopting". These are continued movements that have been in action in this state all year long.

[Cal Carpenter]

15. The Democrats have a party, a platform, and a large amount of power and wealth

in this country. It would be best for the people if they focus on what they have and not co-opt this independent movement.

I am very much aware of what has been happening in Wisconsin. Many argue that the Dems co-opted the movement in Wisconsin and weakened it. I tend to agree.

You are incorrect in implying that OWS was 'born from' the Wisconsin movement. That is completely absurd.

Any movement that will create real social change needs to remain independent of established political parties. This is a fact borne out by history and theory.

I understand that this perspective threatens partisans, however, it is a perspective rooted in truth and material conditions, not belief systems and hopes.

[PeaceNikki]

16. Who had argued that what Democrats weakened the movement in Wisconsin?

That is what's absurd. The Democrats in this state have been leading the nation. Remember the 14 Democratic Senators who fled the state to avoid quorum? Or our Assembly Democrats who helped the people hold the floor for over 60 hours?

It is political here and I am proud it is and proud to be a Wisconsin Democrat.

[Cal Carpenter]

17. If you aren't aware of these arguments

even though you seem very involved in the situation, then I fear these efforts are in vain. But in good faith I will add these links, just from a quick google, I haven't vetted all the sources but they seem to cover the basics if you are truly interested:

http://citizenactionmonitor.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/did-wisconsin-state-democratic-party-blow-workers%E2%80%99-recall-campaign/

http://billhicksisdead.blogspot.com/2011/08/wisconsin-protests-co-opted-by-corrupt.html

http://wisconsinwave.org/news/common-dreams-both-democrats-and-republicans-share-blame-corporate-takeover-our-country

The hard part of those protests were done by the working class. As always, aside from *very few exceptions* when a politician or party finally concedes something to the public interest it is done as a result of the pressure from independent activists. I understand Wisconsin is a slightly different case than many states, but the heart of OWS has to do with the international economy, not a few politicians in one state.

I will now, likely, bow out of this subthread and agree to disagree, because I am nearly sure we won't make any more progress in this exchange.

[PeaceNikki]

18. lol

I know it doesn't fit into your happy little non partisan utopia, but, as I said - clear delineation of good and evil. Onward, Wisdems. Recall Walker!

[pacalo]

21. I do think Wisconsin has shown the way for the OWS to come together.

Wisconsin protesters showed how classy protesters can be, how classy their police & fire departments can be, & the community's goodwill & togetherness.

What I'm seeing in the OWS protests is reminiscent of Wisconsin's.

[aikoaiko]

11. I liked the Occupy movements precisely because it didn't buy into the red/blue state false dichotomy

[Cal Carpenter]

14. Yep. It rises above the divide and conquer bullshit

Which, of course, is a threat to partisans. But frankly, the divisive shit just isn't gonna work like it used to. The patterns of the last 30 years (and more, really) are too clear.

The last few years have been the last straw for many. And the Occupy movements are also appealing to those who have not participated in the 2-party system or who have been disenfranchised. It is empowering millions of people.

If it gets coopted by a party it is over. If it doesn't, maybe it can get somewhere, or at least start the ball rolling.

[PETRUS]

20. Exactly. I'm not suckered by the good cop/bad cop routine.

[blogslut]

19. Texas represents

Abiline
Amarillo
Austin
Brownsville
Corpus Christie
Dallas
Denton
El Paso
Forth Worth
Galveston
Houston
Lubbock
Marfa
McAllen
San Antonio
Texarkana

http://www.occupytogether.org/directory/