Ambivalence

I fluctuate between thinking OWS might really turn into something and then thinking the usual hotheaded halfwits who tend to take over leftie demonstrations will sink it.

OWS is still a much smaller movement than the antiwar movement was ca. 2003. Some jerk left a vulgar message on the comment thread (caught in the filter and deleted) taunting me because OWS has gone global. Well, child, according to some accounts between January 3 and April 12, 2003, 36 million people across the globe took part in almost 3,000 protests against the Iraq war. OWS hasn’t come anywhere close to that.

I’m reading that hundreds of protesters marched to Times Square today, There were hundreds of thousands of people in the streets of New York in February and March 2003. Nobody noticed.

And my point is that getting a lot of people out into the streets isn’t the same thing as actually changing anything. I’ve noticed a lot of OWSers are contemptuous of the anti-Iraq war demonstrations. And I’d be the first to say (in fact, I have said) there was plenty to be contemptuous about regarding the anti-Iraq war demonstrations.

But, children, there’s times you don’t look all that different to me. Like it or not, some of you are making the same stupid mistakes. And what was the point of marching to Times Square? Were you trying to scare the tourists?

The riots in Rome ought to be a lesson that things will get out of control sometimes. Groups with no leadership and no self-policing authority and a fuzzily defined purpose — but getting a lot of publicitywill attract all kinds of hotheads and whackjobs, which could undermine everything you are trying to accomplish.

The anti-Iraq war movement couldn’t maintain momentum largely because the “movement” was like a multi-headed hydra, with each head wanting to move in a different direction. There was no cohesive coalition; just a collection of factions who would drag their diverse agendas to demonstrations and compete for attention.

Now, I understand the NYC OWS is considering electing an executive committee, which is a hopeful development. I would also strongly suggest setting some ground rules and coming up with some kind of enforcement procedures.

That may be anathema to many of the OWSers, but if they want to be taken seriously by most of the 99 percent, such things as public nudity, drug use, vulgarity, and off-message signs need to be firmly discouraged. I’m not saying they should hire bouncers; sometimes a little non-violent peer pressure goes a long way.

I’m sure they’re all very high with having started something now, but they need to keep in mind that they haven’t actually changed anything yet.

12 thoughts on “Ambivalence

  1. There are lots of ways OWS can self-destruct. The movement has gained popularity because a lot of people across the political spectrum are aware and unhappy with how the major players have gamed the system. If the popular energy is there, how might the movement succeed? IMO –

    1) Raise awareness about specific inequities – falling wages (for us) greater profits (for them) tax breaks for corporations and the top tier created the deficit crisis.

    2) Encourage – goad – provoke the GOP into defending the inequities – corporate welfare for big oil – no competitive bidding for big pharma (Medicare) Marry the GOP and Wall Street for the voter.

    3) How about ‘pledges’ from democrats where they commit to end specific corporate welfare to oil companies – pledge to raise taxes ONLY for those above this bracket. A guarantee NOT to raise income taxes below this bracket. A pledge to end the non-compete bid clause of Medicare Rx. A pledge to appoint a joint committee to make specific recommendations which close corporate loopholes – that report not open to amendments. Up or down vote.

    OWS can provide the incentive for democrats to make a crystal clear choice for voters. Democrats might accidentally create a formula for Congressional progress if they recognize the opportunity.

  2. Whooopee, can’t believe I get to be the first commenter! On topic, I find some hope that there is anyone demonstrating and I really appreciate how much understanding and knowledge I gain on a daily basis by reading your blog as well as all the comments. You seem to always be spot on in my book. I can say the same for your buddhist teachings and newsletter. Thanks for keeping me balanced.

    Well, that was sort of on topic…now OT: My time living here in the south in this state of Jindal, Landreau and Vitter, will soon be coming to an end. I have a three month plan for returning to my home in the boonies of the west side of the island of Oahu.

    I have also just met the age criteria for full social security retirement and am no longer “disabled”. It means more money to live on, which is always a good thing. It has been a hard ten years, recently losing my baby sister to pancreatic cancer has given me a jolt into living my life to the fullest on a daily basis. To do that, I must go home. My family here has pretty much grown up and doesn’t need me, all I seem to do now is get caught up in the family dramas and as a retired social worker, being the family enabler here is not my cup of tea.

    Though I rarely comment, I am a loyal reader. Hey, I will finally be able to get a cat when I move. Sure things aren’t great anywhere right now, but at least Hawaii is a liberal, progressive, democratic state. I am an independent but not sure that is a good thing to be anymore (ala Lieberman?) Question for y’all (heh heh): Would I be more useful as a Dem or should I stay an elusive, free Indepentent?? Any feedback will be helpful. Namaste, Kathleen

  3. OWS:
    Stay out of Times Square! (What are they thinking?)
    In my mind, outside of Wall Street or your local financial equivalent, there are only two other potentially worthwhile areas to protest, if you think splintering the movement might do any good:
    1. OMSM – ‘Occupy Mainstream mMedia’ outlets near you. This should include newspapers, and ALL TV and radio channels that carry news, particularly the 4 major TV networks, PBS, CNBC, CNN and FOX, and Clearchannel and NPR on radio.
    2. OTG – no, not what you’re thinking – ‘Occupy the Town/County/District.State/Federal Government’ near you.

    The ‘Malefactors of Great Wealth’ need the MSM for PR to broadcast their messages, and the government to create the conditions necessary for making money, and enforcing those conditions.

    Me?
    I’d stick to occupying local financial districts.
    But if I were going to split resources, I’d focus on the MSM.
    Believe me, if the MSM notices, so will the politicians.

    Be vigilant. Be non-violent. GO OWS!!!

  4. Kathleen,
    First – sorry about the loss of your younger sister…

    Then – best of luck to you!!! Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

    As for my $0.02 – register as a “D” and work to change the party from within.
    Or, register as an “R” and work to change the Nazi party from within. 🙂

  5. The Tea party appears to be much smaller than the OWS movement, yet they get away with marching around brandishing weapons, and held their own Republican presidential debate.
    Is this the friggin’ Twilight Zone or what?
    My fear is a leader of OWS will emerge who is a splinter from the Tea Party, thus owning both sides of the political universe.
    This is actually common in geopolitics.

    Good luck with your move. Kathleen.
    I lost my little brother to cancer several years ago, and I know that pain all too well.

    I like ‘Gulag’s advice to you, he’s smart with a good balance of brains and snark!

    • The Tea party appears to be much smaller than the OWS movement, yet they get away with marching around brandishing weapons, and held their own Republican presidential debate.

      Tea Party Express (which sponsored the debate) is getting corporate money funneled to them through Dick Armey’s FreedomWorks, Club for Growth, Americans for Prosperity, and a bunch of other corporate front groups. Plus, they get free publicity from Faux News. I still say the Tea Party is not so much a movement as it is a corporate/media contrivance that people have bought into.

      The gun thing — yeah, I thought of that, too. Carrying guns through the street is OK, but carrying some cardboard signs requires police intervention. The stew of cultural/social pathologies rendering that dichotomy “normal” is mind-blowing, to say the least.

  6. Pingback: Sunday Link Encyclopedia and Self-Promotion « Clarissa's Blog

  7. Cain has been getting applause for not only lowering taxes on the wealthy, but RAISING taxes on the poor.

    Republicans have no shame – yet the Party still exists.

    Clever they are.

  8. ‘Gulag–thanks for your advice….

    I think I have been ruminating about joining the D party. If I were younger and more sane, I would probably take on the challenge of changing the Nazis….alas,

    ….in my long career as a social worker, community activist and therapist……
    I….don’t…..think…..I….have……much……sanity…..left…AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!

    Also, thank you for your good wishes, though I will continue to spend time here in Baton Rouge (family, now the grands are having great grands), I am changing my home base to Makaha, I will be reading my newspaper every morning in the shade of a hau tree drinking a cup of Kona and watching the morning surfers at “the world famous” Makaha Surfing Beach. I may even get a big board and try paddle boarding. I use to love to surf, but I think I’ll stick to body surfing and my favorite water sport, snorkeling. That is a hope, still have to stay grounded in today and will be here until at least after the holidays. Thanks to you too, Erinyes…..no one can snark like ‘gulag!

    I will also continue to keep up with my favorite bloggers right here too. Me ke aloha, pumehana…Nahanaola (my hawaiian name)

  9. I’m reading that hundreds of protesters marched to Times Square today, There were hundreds of thousands of people in the streets of New York in February and March 2003. Nobody noticed.

    That alone is a big, big argument in favor of how OWS operates. They are not only getting coverage, it’s increasingly favorable coverage.

    Note that instead of an immediate, one-time exercise in mass demonstrations — getting a few hundred thousand folks in one spot for a few hours, then going home — they’re doing a long-term bit of asymmetrical class warfare, one that:

    1) resonates with the folks at home without worries of cultural differences hindering message transmission (remember, grandmas nowadays are getting tribal tattoos, so they’re not as likely to freak out over long hair as were the crew-cutted Joe Lunchbuckets of 1970) AND:

    2) is getting under the elites’ skins and causing them to react in ways that make the protest stronger.

    That’s what’s getting them coverage — and that coverage will feed the movement even more.

    • That alone is a big, big argument in favor of how OWS operates. They are not only getting coverage, it’s increasingly favorable coverage. … That’s what’s getting them coverage — and that coverage will feed the movement even more.

      Yes, but I’d say OWS has been very, very lucky so far. I don’t have a problem with the permanent occupation thing. I do, and still have, a problem with the lack of leadership. It would take very little for that favorable coverage to turn against OWS, especially when the corporations begin to think it might be a real threat.

      Also, once again, people in the streets by itself is not a movement.

Comments are closed.