Quote:
Originally Posted by Daradon
So these other protesters don't rebuild their communities at other times? The dozen caught on camera now are suddenly more committed than others?
It's kind of funny, that the spotlight that said protest cast, you use to show the good deeds of others. If we all want to be as negative of the movement as you, I could easily extrapolate these people don't usually rebuild parks and these companies don't usually fund it, they are just using the argument to do it.
Of course that's not right. And it's not right either ways. Many of these protesters help out outside the glare of lights and camera, and many of these companies truly help their communities.
Your original sentences indicate why many people are upset. They see it as an 'Us vs. Them' dichotomy. And I will agree, based on the attitudes of many protesters, it often seems like that. But based on the actions of business and government, it really seems like that.
Truly, in Calgary or most of Canada today, we aren't fighting anything. I like the path. But, it's not perfect, there are problems, and we're bringing light to different issues. You ask, well why don't you do you job and donate time or money outside? The point is WE DO. We do just like you. We do just like the example above. To assume the protesters are lazy, or jobless, or don't give their time is boorish and untrue.
Anyone could have set up today and said, 'well look what we did, instead of protesting.' And you know what? If that was truly their attitude, it was because of the light that the protesters shined on the city.
|
Fair enough . . . . it could be true those attending this protest could also be volunteers in their communities at other times. Really wasn't my observation.
It just struck me as somewhat amusing, as I was pulling out of town, at the contrast of how differing groups were spending this particular day . . . . . a group of quiet "doers" picking up shovels, rakes, etc and getting something done for the benefit of their community, using big oil money that was flowing back into the community, and then contrasting that with a group that's . . . well, I'm not sure what you're doing although, as I've said repeatedly, I encourage your right to do it. I believe you when you say you believe you are benefiting your community through protest as well, although I'm not seeing the tangible results of that.
Amusingly, The Seventh Annual Zombie March in Calgary yesterday also drew hundreds.
http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/10/15...nvade-the-core They describe themselves as having no goal or cause.
Which again brings me to turnout . . . .
Across all locations, from New York to Calgary, it seems these "Occupy Wall St. Marches are consistently inspiring about 3/1000's to 5/1000's of the local population to come out and make a statement, which is the observation I've been making.
You're selling a growing multiple of locations as a vast movement of discontent when, actually, as I've observed before, it's an extremely marginal segment of any local population that appears to be visibly committed.
The most impressive might have been in Saskatoon, where hundreds also came out relative to a fairly small population.
The percentages above go to your claim that you are representing millions, something that has yet to be demonstrated, not withstanding that the majority of the population is mad at their politicians (so am I) and, as would be expected in any higher unemployment period, fearful for their jobs and distrustful of the next steps of business.
The next few weeks and months will tell us if you have a genuine, widespread inspirational protest movement or not.
You need to pop those crowds higher on a consistent basis to demonstrate your point. Otherwise its going to become pretty clear who is representing the "1%" of the population and who is representing the "99%."
And, again, I support your right to protest your point in a peaceful manner. Knock yourself out.
Cowperson