I made it out to today’s general assembly during my lunch break. Here are some clips of what I saw. Just raw footage, but give an idea of how these meetings are coming together and the process of communication and facilitation. Very interesting IMO.
I also was able to acquire some poster board, markers and other supplies for the art table. It felt good getting it together and dropping it off. This is just a first delivery, I will try to organize more. I really think one aspect that needs tuning is the messaging we are presenting to the public. It can not be done with placards alone. The information table is still lacking in my opinion. We need to post statements that are agreed upon by our general populace. I hope I can provide some assistance on-going. I have also connected with the tech team. I hope I can help with broadcasting the live stream, but I am concerned with the data limitations of my hotspot. We shall see how this pans out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnYGtuzJmAg
Here’s how I got the answers I was looking for… I asked! Genius, I know.
Tonight I am already feeling like I have changed my views entirely, several times over. Not just of occupyPhilly, but the whole (now national) movement. I have spent the day reviewing my footage, both video and still, remembering what people were saying and doing, considering what it all means, and publishing my thoughts here. I was able to connect with this group, even if I am concerned with their approach. That was ok with them. I love that. What was formerly my biggest concern, is a memory now. I was most concerned that this movement is manufactured by the same people that manufacture all of the bullshit that we are forced to endure. I don’t think there is a hijacking under way either. I don’t see a ruling party or steering committee or men behind a curtain. Believe me, I looked.
However, I am still concerned that the many groups that have come together lack direction and that this may take a very long time. And on the other side, I wonder if anything will be solved. The msm still has the story in a seriously jacked up state. We should keep an eye on that. Let’s correct them when they get it wrong. By that I mean wrong to you. That should keep all of us talking, which I think would be a fantastic result.
I am also concerned with the communist and socialist undertones. It may be my imagination, but I sensed these ideals. To cut right through the bullshit, let me say this: I don’t believe communism is the answer. Nor do I think socialism is the answer. If I had my way, we would move toward the right of center. Less government. More protection of our constitutional rights. Less bullshit from the old boys’ clubs, and more FREEDOM. I’d like to see a changing of the guard if we are stuck with this two party system in the next election, but I’m also not a republican. I want people to enjoy their lives and be happy, and I’d like to see this happen without more regulations imposed on me and my family.
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That’s what I’ve got for now. If you enjoyed the beginning of this story, please follow here or on twitter. The blog is up to current now. I will continue as this situation unfolds. Photos and more video from Saturday will be posted shortly. If you plan to stand up, best of luck to you. I will see you out there. Be safe while speaking your mind. It’s great to see activism in such a healthy state, and in my city. In fact, it just made me smile.
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As originally posted here:
[link removed]
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What I said while I was there, posted from my phone:
I got some answers… Kinda. The answers are disorganized and chaotic. I see less puppet mastery today. I have video interviews with a couple people who are organizing/funding. Serious communist presence. Clearly! But there is also opposition clearly present. Still digesting the info… Anyway I will post more later. Need to get the video edited.
A fellow observer and activist responded:
Hegelian dialectics rule. Thanks 12g, really. I was in the city today to check out a couple demonstrations, I’ll make a thread to share tomorrow, going out now. I got a good vibe though
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Research what “Hegelian” means. Very interesting IMO.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_Wilhelm_Friedrich_Hegel
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I Responded:
There is a positive vibe in that the experience is inclusive of all who wish to participate. The people I spoke with were friendly, but also it was clear that things are still just starting and nothing has yet to be decided.
The only thing that seems to be concrete is that they will be creating and taking a proposal to local, state or federal government. In order to be a part of the facilitation group, which will be at the center of the proposal creation, you must also participate in a working group. Kitchen, medical, security, sanitation, etc. Unfortunately that really limits who of the 99% can participate. Sure, you’re included if you want to be, but you must choose a duty/table/committee. Furthermore, they expect this to take weeks at a minimum. Who has time for that? Not me. Not many. So this will end up being 1% of the actual 99% creating a proposal. Anyway, are we trying to improve our society, or are we trying to run a tent city? A lot of effort is currently being spent on the latter.
I was able to network and get to some insiders… Although they claim there are no insiders… Having a camera guy helped. it’s clear that anonymous is part of the core group but were not pleased that I deciphered that and quickly took down some signage after I pointed it out.
Also, my anti fluoridation petition is now at the general information table. No signatures yet… Heh. But it’s cool that they were completely open to it.
The general assembly was somewhat interesting, but again… Somewhat disorganized and a lot of focus on keeping their tent city thriving.
Here are the issues I see.
- they need leadership. They are so stuck on the model that everyone is equal that everyone is afraid to take charge.
- the full 99% is not represented, and can’t be.
- they are really far from deciding anything.
- the party vibe is fun, but doesn’t help them look credible.
- many people there don’t know what is being discussed by the facilitation group. The proposals that are on the table are not being put on a board for mass review.
- they need direction, badly. At least a couple core ideas need to be established.
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Here’s what I saw, I will elaborate:
I sat up all night. What I had witnessed and my concerns were overwhelming. I decided I would go back. I also decided to bring a friend who is film producer/editor/camera guy. I had questions (I still do). I wrote them out and planned to get to some people who were involved with the organization and ask what I felt needed to be asked. By this time the msm was all over the spectrum of predictable commentary, chasing their tails, and carrying our elected fools’ water.
Here are the questions I planned to ask on Saturday:
- who or what group do you perceive is organizing and running this demonstration?
- who is funding this?
- what do they stand for?
- is there a presence here from the democratic party?
- there seems to be an overbearing presence of socialism and/or communism amongst this organization. Can you elaborate on that?
- do you know who George Soros is? Would you take a contribution from someone like him? Have you yet?
- what is the intention of this demonstration?
Why Protest??
The game is rigged. We all understand that. I am speaking for the majority of the true 99% when I say that. This is not news to us. That the game is rigged. The reason I am pointing this out is because this is the only message that is reaching the masses. Many do not see a way to change that the game is rigged, nor do many of them fully understand the magnitude of manipulation that the powers that be are engaged in.
- The existing power structures and elitist hierarchies are eliminating the American dream.
- Money has become a prerequisite to freedom.
- The gap between rich and poor has never been bigger than it is now. This is being achieved through hoarding of wealth and the elimination of the middle class.
- Our constitutional rights are being eliminated.
- Our government is too large and regulations are too many. Nothing gets done. The people’s interests are not being preserved! It’s all process and no action.
- We are on a path to destroying all of the noble efforts of the founding fathers. This is being done on a daily basis as a part of a slow shift toward socialism and communism. The only way to stop this process is to redo what has been undone. We need to stand up and demand our freedom again.
- Corporate interests are controlling elections
- We are being lied to and manipulated by the media, corporations, government, and political groups who all have their own agendas. Many of these agendas are aimed at further control of the people.
- Corporate cronies and drones.
- We are being poisoned through our water supply, GMO foods, and pharmaceuticals.
- The elite are allowed to wage war, commit acts of terrorism, control the media, pay a slap on the wrist fine, if anything, and the profit from the whole thing! This situation is out of control. It’s a runaway fire. And maybe communicating these atrocities in detail will help wake and inspire the 99% to stand up with us!
- The majority of Americans, who are also victims of the points above, are not taking action. This is either due to ignorance or apathy, and we can inspire them.
Observations and reactions originally posted here:
[link removed]
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I spent a couple more hours at city hall tonight. I expected attendance to get much larger after business hours, so I left work early, got some stuff together and headed over. A little disappointing. There were less people there than at 1pm. All information tables were either empty or no help. There was nothing to participate in except for hackysack and screaming at traffic. People are also starting to seriously move in there. I guess that’s the “occupy” part of this whole mess. Lots more private tents. people setting up camp, etc.
Before there was a mix of many types of people, again as part of the crowd was enjoying a show during lunch… now it’s all of the squatter types, drifters, commies, etc. Still very scattered messaging coming from them as well. I think I could be down with them if I would agree to smash all things of the modern age and stop taking showers. There were also a few scattered regular joes who are fed up with our societal system and want to get involved, just as I do/did. They seemed rather lost, and frustrated… as I probably did. The hijacker crew is still there, and have moved into a security type of tent, weird, with a full-on office going on in there. The door, yes this tent has a hinged door, is shut and the are all typing and taking pictures for the media. Overall, a weird vibe.
Once I figured out that there was no way I was joining the steering committee tonight, I talked to a few more information tables and then boogied on out of there. If I get the same vibe tomorrow, I am going to start knocking on tents and demanding some answers.
City Hall
Getting closer
still seems scattered
Occupy Philly - The scene
Less people now. people are moving in though...
A hack circle sprung up
Stop Water Fluoridation NOW! - My petition for Philadelphia city council
Skepticism and disorder aside, the vibe gave me a boost. I was seeing opportunity for something good to happen. I was loving the like-minded crowd, even if we were only partially like-minded. I printed out my latest petition that I had been pushing to city council for a the past few months. Maybe I can get some signatures… ? The copy shown below was old and had errors, but I found the newest version and headed to city hall.
