Occupy Calgary/Do Not Merge

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Canuck-Hater

Not surprised considering Calgary is the most right-wing city in Canada.

Well, there may be a grain of truth in that. But I'm one left-winger who doesn't think much of the "Occupy" movement. I think it began with some interesting (if a little half-baked) calls for reform on Wall Street, that very quickly became diluted into a sort of amorphous call of "we're angry" among some disaffected people on the left. The message is no so diluted that even the theoretical allies of these people in an ideological sense have no real idea what the movement is even about anymore.

So in the end, this is a cultural moment that has tapped into some serious unhappiness with the status quo--but it's rootless, and doesn't have any concrete purchase on the real world any more. It might as well be the political version of Walt Whitman's "barbaric yawp"--full of emotion, but empty--almost perversely so--of any content.

That might fly in the U.S., where all politics is superficial and stupid anyway, but Calgarians are generally a well-educated and sophisticated bunch. A Calgarian (liberal OR conservative) might see a protest like this, and stop, and say "what's this about?" before deciding whether it's worth their time. And if you don't have a good answer, you'd best move your tent out of our park. It's an eyesore.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Canuck-Hater

Not surprised considering Calgary is the most right-wing city in Canada.

Actually there was a survey published in one of the papers that showed that Calgary was actually fairly liberal in its population leanings and the whole Calgary Red Neck right-wing was mostly an Eastern creation.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Actually there was a survey published in one of the papers that showed that Calgary was actually fairly liberal in its population leanings and the whole Calgary Red Neck right-wing was mostly an Eastern creation.

I suspect that here's a lot of truth to that, with the proviso that I think Calgarians tend to be fiscally a bit conservative, perhaps because it's generally a pretty affluent city--and one with a very entrepreneurial culture.

But I don't for a second believe that the average Calgarian is a social conservative in the mold of Stockwell Day. Just doesn't jive with what I see on the ground.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Sliver

There has to be a way to capitalize on this nonsense. If FL wants to provide us with profiles of the individuals we could start a survivor-type pool on this.

Funny you should mention this. I was thinking of doing a blog about "getting to know our neighbours".... but I like your twist too.

One of them was booted of the plaza today. Apparently there was an arrest; had nothing to do with the Occupy movement. He simply had outstanding warrant(s)

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Regina removed their yocals, has any other city followed in Canada yet?

Saskatoon
Victoria
Halifax
London

Have all been cleared out

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

I suspect that here's a lot of truth to that, with the proviso that I think Calgarians tend to be fiscally a bit conservative, perhaps because it's generally a pretty affluent city--and one with a very entrepreneurial culture.

But I don't for a second believe that the average Calgarian is a social conservative in the mold of Stockwell Day. Just doesn't jive with what I see on the ground.

I agree completely. I read somewhere once that Alberta has the highest number of entrepreneurs. (though I don't have a link to back that up)

There three posts in a row, Rerun should be happy for awhile....

[Hockeyguy15]

nm

[Regular_John]

*Sigh* and now that the weather has gotten cold their back to asking for hand outs.

At the end of the day the message of these protesters has failed to strike a chord with the public. Maybe we're happy with the status quo, or maybe the protesters are just plain wrong.

Either way, the public doesn't support you, stop asking for hand outs. If you still feel strongly enough about your protest than fund it yourself. I don't expect anyone else to pay for my Flames tickets just because I "really feel strongly that the team needs my support, but I can't afford season tickets, can I have some for free?"

[Slava]

Deleted...was intended to be somewhat amusing and instead just forced things off track.

[North East Goon]

Did the authorities oust the dead-beats in Regina or was it that wicked cold wind they have?

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Saskatoon
Victoria
Halifax
London

Have all been cleared out

I don't think Calgary will follow suit just yet. The city namely Mayor Nenshi and his troops just love to make threat but back down on the day of deadline. Nenshi is starting to tick me off. It was because of him that those guys from Occupy Olympic Plaza wouldn't leave. None of them even know what the heck is Charter of Rights until he told the media. Now those guys thinks they know everything. Also, the city should stop making deadline to remove them at Olympic Plaza then back down. There is supposed to be a deadline to remove them by noon today and I wouldn't be surprise that nothing will happen again.

Enough of this already. I would like to be able to drive downtown and not see those freaking tents.

[East Coast Flame]

Originally Posted by Canuck-Hater

Not surprised considering Calgary is the most right-wing city in Canada.

You've never been to PEI I take it?

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

*Sigh* and now that the weather has gotten cold their back to asking for hand outs.

Herald has online poll, vote if you think they should have access to electricity.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ca...889/story.html

Scary thing is, I think there are likely Alderman who would support this.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by OzSome

I don't think Calgary will follow suit just yet. The city namely Mayor Nenshi and his troops just love to make threat but back down on the day of deadline. Nenshi is starting to tick me off. It was because of him that those guys from Occupy Olympic Plaza wouldn't leave. None of them even know what the heck is Charter of Rights until he told the media. Now those guys thinks they know everything. Also, the city should stop making deadline to remove them at Olympic Plaza then back down. There is supposed to be a deadline to remove them by noon today and I wouldn't be surprise that nothing will happen again.

Enough of this already. I would like to be able to drive downtown and not see those freaking tents.

Can't say I disagree, in my opinion the major fumble here was allowing two camps to exist under the "Occupy" banner. As soon as the tents started going up at the plaza the city should have been writing tickets and said "No, we have provided the St Patrick's Island area for this protest & if you set up tents anywhere else they will be removed"

But now this group has dug their heals in, hidden behind the charter and Nenshi has effectively been placed in a "dammend if you do, dammed if you don't" situation because of it.

If the weather doesn't get rid of these folks than we may just be stuck with a permanent tent city in downtown Calgary. The City is either out of cards to play, or doesn't have the stones to play them.

[Starfishy]

I am just interested to see how long they stick around for. Sure, it is a bit of an eye sore for me on my daily commute, but at this point I kind of like the "survivor" idea. No electricity though, that would be cheating.

Every night the police should inspect the tents, any empty tents get removed. I can't imagine they will last too much longer.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Herald has online poll, vote if you think they should have access to electricity.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ca...889/story.html

Scary thing is, I think there are likely Alderman who would support this.

So wait a minute, if they manage to wrangle free electricity from the city, then I think we should all form a class action law suit to get the city to provide the rest of us with free electricity.

[THE SCUD]

I think we should give them all propane heaters to use inside their nylon, non-breathable tents.

[Sliver]

Then kick them over!

[Byrns]

I thought they had geometric dome saunas?

[woob]

Just took a peek down at the tents from my window. I'm a ways away but only saw one person walking around, from what I can tell. Having just walked a couple blocks outside, I sure wouldn't want to be shivering in a tent right now!