Watch this! Share this! This was very well written and spoken. There is a strong disclaimer to this. Video soon on my YouTube of the disclaimer specifically.
This is one person’s perspective and not intended to be more than that. As a collective we will decide how to proceed, but this is a wonderful summation of many people’s thoughts, in my opinion.
Click below for a video
after recording this video I was followed. Large man, plain clothes, arm badge, looked federal. I looked over my shoulder at him quite a few times. He saw me see him. Followed me all the way to my workplace.
These two guys I know were discussing some unfortunate perception steering as I typed this article. My friend John (right) do this regularly.
I have been thinking about this topic, for the last 36 hours or so, pretty heavily. This is another thread that my friend Dan started with me on Tuesday. Since we opened this discussion with our physical voices, I decided to bring this idea to light here. Sharing.
occupyphilly.org site screenshot
Here is exactly how it happened. think about this today. Both sides are important to everyone. Either by addressing the point any party is saying or for just pure understanding. Join the chat rooms at occupyphilly.org and discuss things like this with us, also tons of info there in general.
Within this discussion I am Twelve, “me” is another human contributor.
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sally l
10:18 AM
whats the big issue w so many homeless people? are they moving from the shelters to occupy philly?
Me
10:19 AM
Probably
at occupy they’re guaranteed a place to sleep and plenty of food
also safety in numbers
Twelve
10:20 AM
Hello
sally l
10:20 AM
do you see that as a bit negative in a way? if they are already provided food and shelter in other places?
media suddenly focused on how its just a bunch of smelly homeless people using this as an opportunity to change their scene…hang out w a bunch of people they think want to help them and not the country as a whole.
Me
10:21 AM
the problem with homeless shelters is they are not big enough to hodl everyone
that’s the media skewing the truth
trying to make occupy look bad
sally l
10:21 AM
whats weird is speaking w several of them and theyre admitting to leaving their safe areas w food etc…to come here and use what food and shelter is there
Twelve
10:22 AM
Last Night at City Hall & An IMPORTANT message about HIJACKING and inner-circles – Please read and share >>> http://wp.me/1UCYI
sally l
10:23 AM
i just feel like from day one to now….its mostly all street people. and thats fine…but its changed a lot about the vibe of the entire movement in phlly
sally l
10:25 AM
philly is just a weird city. in every way.
i wish more middle class came out
make more of an impact on the message
Me
10:25 AM
Philly is a poor city
sally l
10:25 AM
the poorest i think
Oki Red
10:25 AM
to sally: so you think a protest is a good way out?
Me
10:25 AM
but Occupy is making me fall in love with it
Twelve
10:25 AM
the occupiers are just part of the movement and an essential one. someone has to occupy. we need to create messaging that is sympathetic to their positions but also attracts those that are judgmental of them (the occupiers). we need help from everyone
people with other talents and other obligations are realizing that their time may be better spent off site
thanks ok
sally l
10:26 AM
what do you mean good way out
Joshua
10:26 AM
street people are people too
Twelve
10:26 AM
FUCK YA
Me
10:26 AM
we need bodies
Joshua
10:26 AM
capitalism let them fall through the cracks
so… yeah.
sally l
10:27 AM
i just think…the streets are a lifestyle of their own. its full of a lot of dangers etc. a lot of bad smells. a lot of weirdos who honestly lose their minds. i spoke to plenty there the otehr day who say its tough to keep your head straight. i just dont want it to turn into this community of crazy homeless people and turn the supporters away.
never said they werent
Joshua
10:27 AM
naw, you mustn’t worry about such things. love will win crazy over
Twelve
10:28 AM
i stand with them
sally l
10:28 AM
it has. definitely. theyre there to support but its just tough to see where it s headed
Me
10:28 AM
to be honest when I’m there I can’t tell the difference between teh homeless and hte occupiers most of the time
Twelve
10:28 AM
they are all occupiers
stop segregating
Me
10:29 AM
that was not my intention
sally l
10:29 AM
not many know why we or they are even there
theyre not there for the movement
Me
10:29 AM
I was just trying to point out that I can’t tell the difference, and it doesn’t matter
Nik Zalesky
10:29 AM
We can’t tell anyone they can’t come, and we can’t control who does, so why worry?
sally l
10:29 AM
stop segregating. occupy philly has a big issue w racism….idk if homeless would be included in that.
Oki Red
10:29 AM
“Occupy” will not resolve anything
Joshua
10:30 AM
oki, red. whatever you say.
go about your life as usual.
buy plenty of shit and die!
sally l
10:30 AM
im all for this. im there constantly. i work a day job and have donated hundreds already out of my own pocket, that i barely have
not trying to be negative. sorry if its coming across that way
Nik Zalesky
10:31 AM
What is the big issue Occupy has with racism?
Oki Red
10:31 AM
oh yeah, “plenty of shit and die”. So polite of you. I guess you tokk some private lessons near City Hall how to talk to girls
sally l
10:31 AM
just asking what people feel about the larger presence of some crazy homeless people who dont even know what is going on
people constantly talking about it. “we need more color”
Joshua
10:32 AM
Oki, for real though. you’re entitled to your opinion. I just wish you could see the bigger picture
Nik Zalesky
10:32 AM
I like that they’re there. There the 99%ers with the least voice, and we’re giving them solidarity and showing that if they’re taken care of, and it helps.
Oki Red
10:32 AM
trust me.
i know
Nik Zalesky
10:32 AM
People talking about we need more color is not racism.
Oki Red
10:32 AM
how it feels
Guest Marie
(This is you – Sign In)
10:32 AM
PLUS THEY GET TO PARTICIPATE
Oki Red
10:32 AM
i was born not in america. lets just say slavic country
Joshua
10:32 AM
that’s cool. you know oppression.
i hear ya. most americans don’t know they’re being oppressed though
Guest Jessie
10:33 AM
it can be annoying having screaming mentally ill homeless people, but it completely underscores our message that our system isn’t working for people
Guest Marie is now Twelve
Guest Jessie is now truth truth
there needs to be some kind of public mental health facility but
funding for that sort of stuff has been cut and cut
Joshua
10:33 AM
exactly why having them with us helps address such things and living together
truth truth
10:33 AM
not to mention better public housing, homeless shelters, etc.
Joshua
10:33 AM
is an important facet of that
Nik Zalesky
10:34 AM
Most Slavic countries now are capitalism run amok. When I was in Russia, I needed to hire a mob bodyguard so we wouldn’t get mugged on the streets.
truth truth
10:34 AM
don’t get mad at the homeless, get mad at the system that leaves mentally ill people completely on their own
Twelve
10:35 AM
everyone does not have a computer or connections to use or money to contribute or a persona that will help attract the masses. the occupation itself is not the only thing that is going on. an army is working. but the occupation is showing solidarity with the rest of the country. this is what initiates getting heard and is still required in many other cities. philly has it good in that department, we may not need to occupy any more. but that is also where the army congregates in person.
it is the glue. the physical space
I ended up missing the general assembly. So much is going on. I was at city hall while it was in session though. Tonight, due to the rain, GA was held at 15th and Cherry street. The Friends Center… I think. Delirious, so I might be slightly off on the name. It’s extremely generous for that facility to open its doors to everyone. Friendly even.
Second meeting of the messaging committee. Many new faces, and facilitators!
Messaging met again, in the subway concourse. This is a passionate group! There are so many questions and concerns surrounding the objectives of this committee. It’s a little frightening, but also crucial to what we are all trying to do.
We haven’t really begun to shape the message yet. We want to gather information first, as we should. Surveys are available at the info table and at the library. The survey consists of several open-ended questions for everyone to answer. We want to make sure peoples concerns are heard and answered, so I think this is a fantastic solution. Exciting stuff.
I know, I keep saying everything is exciting… but it is.
I’m about to fall a sleep right where I sit, so I also want to get another quick thing out before that happens.
There was a lot of talk today about hijacking, and inner-circles. This was both here in Philly and also in Washington DC. Maybe elsewhere too, heres a link. I almost bought into some of it (again!). I have seen the factions forming too. I think this is just the natural order of things. There are factions in every collective, that’s just a fact of life I think.
If someone feels like they are on the outside of any given faction, they may take offense to that. It may be perceived as advantageous to be a part of certain factions. Within the Occupy movement, they may have better tents or generators or be at the center of certain conversations. Is this inequality or is it just the way things shake out?
To say there isn’t some kind of hierarchy in play, is foolish if people want to measure a hierarchy in perceived advantages. Unfortunately, that mentality is taking hold with some people and I hope I can avoid that chasm.
Maybe we can work toward breaking down the perception by being even more inclusive…? Or have we jumped the inclusive shark? We need to get shit done, right? Every job cannot be done by everyone simultaneously. I’m still undecided. I think we should try to trust each other for now and see what happens. I will do my part.
Although there is dreary weather outside, I decided to go back today and help where I can. The live stream was up for the majority of the meeting and will continue to be broadcasting meetings at this location: http://www.livestream.com/occupyphilly – Roger is working hard to get more equipment so that we can broadcast 24/7. We also need a paid account from livestream so that we can have more than 50 viewers at a time.
The rain didn’t stop us.
There was great news from the city. They sent an official letter which further endorsed what we are all doing. They want to work with us and support our efforts. Regular meetings with the city and our mayor will be scheduled. Amazing. HISTORIC!
This photo was from the reading of the letter. Check the facebook page for occupyphilly for more.
i need to focus on work now. boogie.
- twelve
My good friend brought this up last night. I think its important for us to become more informed about topics like this. Here is a primer from wikipedia:
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Here is the scene as Clinton signed the repeal. Who are these other guys? Need to reasearch that.
The Banking Act of 1933, Pub. L. No. 73-66, 48 Stat. 162, enacted June 16, 1933, was a law that established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in the United States and introduced banking reforms, some of which were designed to control speculation.[1] It is most commonly known as the Glass–Steagall Act, after its legislative sponsors, Senator Carter Glass (D—Va.) and Congressman Henry B. Steagall (D—Ala.-3). Some provisions of the Act, such as Regulation Q, which allowed the Federal Reserve to regulate interest rates in savings accounts, were repealed by the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980. Provisions that prohibit a bank holding company from owning other financial companies were repealed on November 12, 1999, by the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act, named after its co-sponsors Phil Gramm (R, Texas), Rep. Jim Leach (R, Iowa), and Rep. Thomas J. Bliley, Jr. (R, Virginia).[2][3]
The repeal of provisions of the Glass–Steagall Act of 1933 by the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act effectively removed the separation that previously existed between investment banking which issued securities and commercial banks which accepted deposits. The deregulation also removed conflict of interest prohibitions between investment bankers serving as officers of commercial banks. This repeal directly contributed to the severity of the Financial crisis of 2007–2011 by allowing Wall Street investment banking firms to gamble with their depositors’ money that was held in commercial banks owned or created by the investment firms.[4][5][6][7][8][9]
Events following repeal
The repeal enabled commercial lenders such as Citigroup, which was in 1999 the largest U.S. bank by assets, to underwrite and trade instruments such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations and establish so-called structured investment vehicles, or SIVs, that bought those securities.[20] Elizabeth Warren,[21] author and one of the five outside experts who constitute the Congressional Oversight Panel of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, has said the repeal of this act contributed to the Global financial crisis of 2008–2009.[22][23] Others have debated what role the repeal may have played in the financial crisis.[8][24][25][26][27]
The year before the repeal, sub-prime loans were just five percent of all mortgage lending.[citation needed] By the time the credit crisis peaked in 2008, they were approaching 30 percent.[citation needed] This correlation is not necessarily an indication of causation however, as there are several other significant events that have impacted the sub-prime market during that time. These include the adoption of mark-to-market accounting, implementation of the Basel Accords and the rise of adjustable rate mortgages.[28]
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read full wikipedia article here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass%E2%80%93Steagall_Act
I’m exhausted. I saw a lot tonight. I spoke with a number of new and old friends. Fellow citizens. It was great. A few times I found myself looking up in the sky and telling myself to take deep breaths. It can be frustrating. Everyone I have met so far has wonderful intentions. Many are extremely intelligent. When I think about the potential of the people involved, I’m blown away. So I take the deep breaths and try to recenter when I am frustrated by the process getting in the way. A couple of times I was doing just that, and I caught a glimpse of William Penn. We are at the foot of city hall. This whole thing is as real as it gets.
Holy shit. We are revolutionaries. This is how our country was founded and we are all here, doing it again. Amazing.
I brought some new faces with me tonight. My wife and an old friend. He drove quite a distance to see what this whole thing is all about, so I should probably rephrase and say he brought himself. Maybe I played a role. I saw a tweet of his asking what donations were needed, and because I was so glued to this computer I happened to be the first to respond. Then I texted him, and informed him of this blog. That was Sunday. Dan is a perfect fit for this group IMO. Basically because he is logical, educated, motivated, and positive. Grounded. We talked for hours about what is going on at Broad and Market. I hope we can continue to work together on cracking the code. We both have a strong desire to understand, and help.The General Assembly brought decent news about our permit, port-a-potties, and a new committee (messaging). I have been concerned with the public perception of this for the last 5 days or so, as stated in earlier posts. The messaging I heard before this blog began was not favorable. The first post says it all. Anyway, I joined immediately. We met after the GA and the turnout was substantial. Here’s a photo:
Historic!
Huge respect goes out to Kurtis, who took the initiative to raise this need to the GA. We have a long way to go, but some progress was made. With many opinions time seems to move slow for me. That’s a personal thing, because I like to keep moving. I like when individuals are empowered to make their own decisions. Trust is key. That’s how I function in my day job and everyone seems to be challenged while still feeling positive. Learning how to function in this direct democracy is hard for me, but a huge learning opportunity. Self improvement is an available benefit for everyone involved. I love that. wow, I’m getting goofy. As I said, I’m exhausted, but happy too.
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This is video (kinda) of the permit announcement:
Here is Kurtis talking about the messaging committee. Audio isn’t awesome though. The sounds of the peoples’ mic in the background:
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night all. thanks for all of the kind words, and support. I’ll take the criticism with a smile too.
- Twelve
