tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455728262357157615.post3901771115396202066..comments2022-01-21T21:37:42.624-08:00Comments on The Meandering Mind of Matt: #occupy?MattClaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459822048391183804noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455728262357157615.post-67811163036082431792012-04-16T15:47:35.723-07:002012-04-16T15:47:35.723-07:00I've made the assumption that you speak for Oc...I've made the assumption that you speak for Occupy, or at least an informed segment of Occupy. Your arguments are clear, and I feel I have a better understanding, so I thank you for that. If I am wrong that you do not stand for the movement, please forgive me. I truly don't believe that the majority of the movement is 'dirty hippies', but the media certainly portrays it as such. Unfortunately, perception is reality to many people unable to make that distinction. Thanks media. Luckily the Internet is only as biased as the writers, so perhaps the message may be displayed unbiasedly there? I hope so. Maybe you can point me to a place where I can see another side of the argument that I am missing?<br />I guess you didn't like my boycott alternative. Too bad, I really think it would work if we could get everyone on board. <br />I also think that maybe you missed some of my satirical points because you think I am against the protest. I am not, I just don't understand it. I do understand that people are mad, and I am glad they are expressing that. My point is they need more focus.<br />The only real problem I have with your reply is this quote...<br />'Your post above seems to just represent you totally misunderstanding the movement … not even taken the time to do some minor research before commenting.'<br />The misinformed and under researched people will still be entitled to their opinions, and I certainly hope that they always will be. I hope they vocalize their opinions loudly and proudly. Everyone has that right, and I am proud that they do. Belittling that right is the same as belittling everything Occupy stands for. While you have the right to that opinion, I have the right to disagree!<br />Now I say let us get a beer and cheers to our rights. I'm buying, but I'll be damned if I'll support any large beer conglomerate. I hope you like micro-brews. ;)MattClaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11459822048391183804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455728262357157615.post-4783267190566992002012-04-16T15:47:05.916-07:002012-04-16T15:47:05.916-07:00Hey Anon, thanks for your comment! I always welco...Hey Anon, thanks for your comment! I always welcome a little more information thus widening the scope of my understanding. I think one of the problems I've had with Occupy is that I really don't understand the message. (The first three paragraphs, I thought I stated that, and went on a rant about Guy Fawkes.)<br />The point I make afterwards is from what I've been able to glom from what I've heard on the media, and various YouTube videos. (The communist idea came from a group of videos by a former Soviet with a camera.) Also a few friends have introduced that idea to me as well. I'll be the first to admit that this is probably a biased point of view, but it is a perception presented. I wish that I could find a non-biased opinion, but it seems that most media is so biased one way or another, that seems impossible. I'll admit that I am lazy enough not to look too hard at all arguments; it is not a priority for me at this. Still, for those that are willing to offer, I am willing to listen.<br />I agree with you that government interference in the system clearly not letting certain elements fail as they should have makes things complicated. My opinion is that if the 99% work together they can use their collective forces to turn the tide. They just need the desire and the focus. (I may be wrong about that, I only know what I observe.)<br />I apologize if I am wrong about the communist statement. Whether it is the main message of Occupy or not, there IS a segment which is for it. I find it ironic that the term 'financial oligarchy' was borrowed from the Soviet Encyclopedia.<br />Maybe protest is only about promoting awareness. If that is true, then protest is simply not enough. Action needs to be taken. I don't condone civil disobedience, there are legal ways, and I really believe that hard work is needed to turn things around, if that is the end goal of occupy. If it is only to inform me that Occupy is unhappy with the way things are, then mission accomplished. So I should go about my day then, knowing that unfair government practices are propping up the elite? Without solution, it is just pointless complaining.MattClaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11459822048391183804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455728262357157615.post-23266878830719571912012-04-16T12:33:58.548-07:002012-04-16T12:33:58.548-07:00I feel that this is a really ignorant post Matt. Y...I feel that this is a really ignorant post Matt. You are ignoring the argument offered by this movement and replacing it with a less compelling one to make it easier for you to make a lazy point. Pretty lame. Can you point to any examples of the interviews where a representative number Occupy members mentioned wanting to move to a Communist system, and then made comments in any way similar to what you said above regarding other communist systems? Or are you just focusing on a single sound-byte or some wishful thinking from those too lazy to investigate this movement?<br /><br />It seems that you disregarded the occupy movements actual message (that current tax and political funding laws make this no longer a capitalist system, as you describe capitalism above, but instead a financial oligarchy, a totally different system in which it is no longer possible for people to use the tools of capitalism that allow for equality and democracy) and replaced it with a non-representative message about communism that is ignorant and I suspect represents either 0 - or a very small and misguided population of a large and important movement. <br /><br />Protest is about promoting awareness - not providing solutions. Being aware that something isn't right doesn't mean you need to know how to fix it. Once people are properly informed they can make the informed decisions and hire solution implementer via elections. The media is corporate owned so protest is one of the more effective ways to get the message out - and in this case it has been very effective despite the general media ignorance (do you really believe there are tens of thousands of 'jobless weed smokers' motivated enough to do this, it doesn't seem more likely that enough people are being seriously affected by these changes to be moved to protest0. If you disagree the the movement offer some actual viable alternatives to this serious problem. Your post above seems to just represent you totally misunderstanding the movement while regurgitating a bunch of tired stereo types from people who, like yourself, have not even taken the time to do some minor research before commenting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com