Occupy Calgary/Do Not Merge

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Sliver

That would be a great start if you wanted to turn this into an altercation.

Honestly, do you really believe forcibly removing these people is a good idea, or do you think it plays better to your political aspirations to take an opposing stand to Nenshi's strategy?

As well, say you did remove the toilets, tents, etc. and the protesters stayed, where are they going to go to the bathroom? All other elements of your idea aside, removing the toilets is a terrible idea.

I'd bet any money Nenshi and his team have a drop-dead date circled on the calendar and if the weather hasn't booted the protesters by then, Nenshi will do it. My guess is that would be by mid-December, but maybe by November 30. Since them being there really doesn't matter to anybody, another week, two, three or six isn't going to matter since winter is coming anyway.

I kinda agree with this, if they're going to be there, then you have to make sure that it doesn't become a freaking plague site.

However I think that the city is obligated to do a health and safety inspection, they should do the same thing that New York did and thats remove things like generators and in tent heaters that can be fire hazards or bombs to the stupid.

They should also turn the toilets into pay per use, you know a quarter a squirt.

I laughed out loud at some of the protesters grumbling on the news that they can't afford the gourmet food on the trucks and that food is a human right. Food is a human right, thats why there are food banks. gourmet food off of a private business is not a right, its a pay for privledge. Its like them asking for toilet paper and condoms. If your not prepared for your camp out, don't expect other people to pay for it and supply it for you.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

They should also turn the toilets into pay per use, you know a quarter a squirt.

"Here I sit, broken hearted. Spent a dime and only farted. Next time I think I'll take a chance, save a dime and sh*t my pants."

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

"Here I sit, broken hearted. Spent a dime and only farted. Next time I think I'll take a chance, save a dime and sh*t my pants."

That was beautiful.

[burn_this_city]

I'm willing to pay for their condoms, I don't want them multiplying.

[SeeBass]

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by Radio

What's comical are these so called "protestors". The average person probably has no idea what the protest is about and I don't think the protestors do either...just fighting the man I suppose.

In that news footage you see a few placards saying things like "Move the lunch trucks to where they're needed!". Implying that these food vendors just give away food... They are running a business and expect to be paid for their services. Moving them over by the homeless shelter isn't going to feed the homeless, it's just going to ruin their business.

Reading that article posted earlier about the "movement" in New York and all their donation money. It's ridiculous! Buying laptops, isn't that fueling the corporate greed they're fighting...

It's time to go home...no one cares.

Agree. These clowns in Occupy Calgary world are far from the actual protesters all over the States etc.

A hand full of a dozen idiots that saw what they did elsewhere on the news.

"Hey lets make an occupy sign and set up accross from City Hall.
Sounds good lets do it."

"What are we protesting. The man I guess" ?

Then what 50 other eventual losers with nothing better to do want to join in the circus and hang out with other losers.

The whole thing is a big joke. How many of them are leeching off of EI? I bet quite a few of them.
ID them contact Revenue Canada and hold their cheques.

Just how many of these nut jobs are down there. 50-75?

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

. . . So based on the sentiments in this thread lately, when is CP going to organize a mob and go beat them and their tents down with bats and pitchforks?

Don't forget to tweet about it - I'm curious to see how it plays out in 140 characters

You must have been reading a different thread, this one is almost entirely made up of people advocating to avoid any type of forceful removal.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

If the petition can influence the City to make a decision, that's awesome. Although I suspect your husband will need more than 1000 signatures. Maybe some voices from surrounding businesses could lend a bit more credence to the petition.

Also, even if the 'Occupiers' remove their tents, are we still going to have the tempers flare if they continue to protest during the day and in a legal manner? Somehow I have a feeling that being Occupiers in the first place is more anger-inducing to some than simply setting up illegal tents. People in Calgary love to point fingers at the 'hippies' and 'communists.' Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Really? Because from what I'm reading in this thread the thing that is really getting to people is the continued breaking of by-laws and general lack of respect for the fact that the rights of occupiers don't trump the rights of other Calgarians to enjoy the space. If these protesters engaged in the type of actions you're describing I imagine they'd be facing far less backlash. It's the entitled 'we can do this because our point is more important than yours' attitude that is garnering the most anger.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by valo403

Really? Because from what I'm reading in this thread the thing that is really getting to people is the continued breaking of by-laws and general lack of respect for the fact that the rights of occupiers don't trump the rights of other Calgarians to enjoy the space. If these protesters engaged in the type of actions you're describing I imagine they'd be facing far less backlash. It's the entitled 'we can do this because our point is more important than yours' attitude that is garnering the most anger.

Well I've got a feeling that if the Occupiers were doing this in a legal manner, then everyone would just find the next crux to vent about - probably being smelly hippies, left-wing "give me stuff" attitudes, or demanding everything but the kitchen sink.

Now I don't support Occupy Calgary (anymore). But I'm wondering if the same vitriol would be spewed if the protesters were arguing for greater royalties from oil sands development, or lower taxes from the City of Calgary. Somehow I think the whole illegal camping would not be as big of an issue.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Well I've got a feeling that if the Occupiers were doing this in a legal manner, then everyone would just find the next crux to vent about - probably being smelly hippies, left-wing "give me stuff" attitudes, or demanding everything but the kitchen sink.

Now I don't support Occupy Calgary (anymore). But I'm wondering if the same vitriol would be spewed if the protesters were arguing for greater royalties from oil sands development, or lower taxes from the City of Calgary. Somehow I think the whole illegal camping would not be as big of an issue.

Man, quit making stuff up.

[Resolute 14]

The illegal squatting thing would still be an issue, but at least a group that is actually protesting something would at least give the public something to discuss.

I can easily sum up the failure that is Occupy Calgary: Don't expect people to stand with you when you stand for nothing.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by First Lady

I think a start would be to remove the toilets, tables, tents and whatever else they have brought in. Personal belongings can be impounded and picked up by the rightful owners.

It scares me that someone like you is in politics with your continual demonstration of lack of knowledge regarding solutions to societal issues.

Starting a riot is exactly the opposite of what anyone wants to happen here, besides the 'protesters'. Waiting a month and spending an extra $10,000 on sod and a cleaning crew ends up being cheaper in the end, without strengthening the position of the wing-nuts.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Sliver

That would be a great start if you wanted to turn this into an altercation.

How would it turn into an altercation? Demonstrators have said all along; "they are peaceful".

Honestly, do you really believe forcibly removing these people is a good idea, or do you think it plays better to your political aspirations to take an opposing stand to Nenshi's strategy?

What aspirations would those be?

As well, say you did remove the toilets, tents, etc. and the protesters stayed, where are they going to go to the bathroom? All other elements of your idea aside, removing the toilets is a terrible idea.

There's an app for that. http://www.sitorsquat.com/

I'd bet any money Nenshi and his team have a drop-dead date circled on the calendar and if the weather hasn't booted the protesters by then, Nenshi will do it. My guess is that would be by mid-December, but maybe by November 30. Since them being there really doesn't matter to anybody, another week, two, three or six isn't going to matter since winter is coming anyway.

Oh, so handle it like snow removal. If no chinook by X date we will send out the plows.

The issue is the precedent this is setting. The next groups that do this will be far more organized and will definitely be a bigger mess to resolve.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Well I've got a feeling that if the Occupiers were doing this in a legal manner, then everyone would just find the next crux to vent about - probably being smelly hippies, left-wing "give me stuff" attitudes, or demanding everything but the kitchen sink.

Now I don't support Occupy Calgary (anymore). But I'm wondering if the same vitriol would be spewed if the protesters were arguing for greater royalties from oil sands development, or lower taxes from the City of Calgary. Somehow I think the whole illegal camping would not be as big of an issue.

Well outside of the "smelly hippies" thing those are legitimate points. Look at the messages coming out of this group, there's absolutely no semblance of action or actual goals, it's a bunch of inane rambling and deserves to be pointed out as such.

That leads well into your second point, a key difference with the examples you cite is that they are actual goals, not vague idealism masquerading as a protest. Even then, the vast majority of people in this thread have made it quite clear that your right to express your opinion doesn't trump the rights of others. Most people on this site, and in life in general, are quite clear on that point in a variety of contexts.

It seems to me that you've decided what the response would be without any actual basis to do so.

[woob]

[valo403]

Originally Posted by First Lady

The issue is the precedent this is setting. The next groups that do this will be far more organized and will definitely be a bigger mess to resolve.

This isn't a court, it sets no precedent. If a subsequent protest poses different issues they will need to b addressed in a different manner. The choice of action or non-action here has no impact on what is done at some hypothetical protest 6 months from now.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

It scares me that someone like you is in politics with your continual demonstration of lack of knowledge regarding solutions to societal issues.

Starting a riot is exactly the opposite of what anyone wants to happen here, besides the 'protesters'. Waiting a month and spending an extra $10,000 on sod and a cleaning crew ends up being cheaper in the end, without strengthening the position of the wing-nuts.

Wow. What makes you think these people would riot?

As for societal issues; Calgary has an abundance of services for those in need. Yes, some people need help and direction to find the right services.

Are these protesters in need? One day they say "we have jobs, we are taxpayers" the next day it's "the man is oppressing the homeless"

We took in two homeless people just last night. We've done it before, we will likely do it again. They will stay until they are on their feet again. I didn't have to break by-laws help these people.

[Mattington]

Originally Posted by valo403

Well outside of the "smelly hippies" thing those are legitimate points. Look at the messages coming out of this group, there's absolutely no semblance of action or actual goals, it's a bunch of inane rambling and deserves to be pointed out as such.

According to this article they have accomplished two major goals. Link

Occupy plaza member Sheehan Herlein deemed those responding negatively to his group in the survey “ignorant” and said the group has accomplished two major goals: Establishing better organization at the camp and setting up a whiteboard to list upcoming group meetings.

It took three weeks, but it looks like they are finally getting somewhere.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by valo403

This isn't a court, it sets no precedent. If a subsequent protest poses different issues they will need to b addressed in a different manner. The choice of action or non-action here has no impact on what is done at some hypothetical protest 6 months from now.

I'm not talking about protests themselves. Those will always happen. (as they should) I'm referring to the camping in parks aspect. The city has never allowed this before.

You don't think future groups will try to camp overnight?

[woob]

Originally Posted by First Lady

You don't think future groups will try to camp overnight?

Honestly? Doubtful.