Blogger not a fan of Occupy movement
I don’t want to encourage violence, but I would warn Occupy: If I’m on the jury? No way the guy who beats the (profanity) out of you gets convicted.
And I imagine I’d have four or five like-minded people on the panel.
Better ask if you want a “counterprotest” on your teeth.
~ Blogger Ace reacting to the Lifesite News article reporting on the Occupy Wall Street protestors disrupting a pro-life rally and throwing condoms on Catholic school girls, Ace of Spades, January 30
(Photo via Frugal Cafe)
Feb.01, 2012 6:00 am |
Contraception |
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Actually, I had just started my speech when they must have decided it was too much truth, because they started coming down from the other floors and crowding in behind me. I had about 10 other pro-lifers circle around me while I was speaking.
The RI Capital police claims of not seeing anything worth taking action on are false. I recall hearing a state representative being physically threatened. Of course, he (the rep) probably could have mopped the floor with the protester. That protester disappeared – I think the police put him out of the State House.
By the end it was very chaotic, and the Capital police actually came down and stood right beside the pro-life speakers. The occupy clowns were shoving their cardboard signs into people’s faces, yelling “Mic Check” and “What you going to do when you’re under attack? – stand up and fight back!”
The irony and hypocrisy was surreal.
Fun factoids – Governor Lincoln Chafee is a board member of NARAL. It wouldn’t surprise me if he invited these goons in to harass Rhode Island Right to Life which is currently locked in litigation with the governor’s office regarding abortion and a health-care exchange.
This could not have happened — troll postings here routinely state with pride how RI is filled with enlightened and mature people, you know, pro-choice people who would naturally be above the level of junior-high antics.
What is with all of the hatred aimed, by conservatives no less, at Occupy Wall Street? OWS wants greedy corporations out of the government- the same greedy corporations that led us to war with Iraq- and regulations of Wall Street. Not to mention that we should all be angry that the individuals who were given help by the government just gave that money to their CEOs in the form of excessive bonuses; they never faced punishment for what they did. If any one of us had done what they did, we’d be rotting in prison on charges of fraud. Yet conservatives come out swinging at OWS? I ask honestly: Why? I thought conservatives hated bankers and elites.
I understand that some individuals- a small fraction of the movement- can be violent or otherwise extremely disrespectful to others. It is fair to condemn such acts, and, frankly, whether Ace included his caveat or not about not wishing violence on anyone or not, saying that you would not convict someone for beating up a protestor is encouraging violence. It would sound ridiculous to say: “Oh, I don’t support violence against pro-lifers, but if someone beat them up, I wouldn’t punish them,” wouldn’t it?
The same greedy corporations that Obama bailed out Vannah? OWS wants OTHER PEOPLE’S WEALTH. I have heard it from their own lips. They want the government to provide money (40 grand a year) for sitting on their behinds. THey want free education, free healthcare… well free for them. The other tax payers can pay.
If you walk through an OWS camp you see marxist flags, communist flags… etc… This is not a “lets restore the government to limited power and make corporations succeed or fail ON THEIR OWN” and if you think thats the case you are sadly misinformed.
Vannah – pro-choicer held their rally and we didn’t go to harass them. It wasn’t even a matter of having respectful discussion. In fact, it got so heated in the discussions afterward (with multiple OWS members ganging up on individual pro-lifers) that we had to simply leave.
I think you need to really look into who OWS and what they believe, because from what I saw, if it were not for the presence of the capital police, there would have been mass violence against the pro-lifers.
At the end, it came completely down to spiritual warfare.
They’re being useful tools for some pretty big players.
@Eric: You mean they were wrong?!? *gasp*
Vannah, if OWS is only protesting against corporate greed, what are they doing at a pro-life event to begin with? The two have nothing to do with each other.
Walk for Life West Coast: 0 arrests
Occupy Oakland last week of January: over 400 arrests
Pro-lifers speak up for the 99.999% of babies who die during abortion. Very few make it out alive, like Gianna Jesson. If Occupiers really cared about the big guy oppressing the little guy, they’d be with us not against us. Occupiers are being used as tools. Chris is right.
“You mean they were wrong?!? *gasp*”
Alice: Shocking, isn’t it?
I think you need to really look into who OWS and what they believe, because from what I saw, if it were not for the presence of the capital police, there would have been mass violence against the pro-lifers.
I am very disappointed to hear this. I used to support OWS because I believed they were for the common people. I guess big business is okay, if it’s BIG ABORTION.
Say you don’t want to advocate violence…. by implicitly endorsing violence? For real?
Ace is the blogger equivalent of a radio shock jock, so no, nothing he says is for real.
It’s fair to say that Occupy Wall Street needs to get its message out coherently. There’s a lot of confusion.
I think part of it stems from the fact that OWS is largely very young. For many, these sorts of protests are firsts. We’re* young and learning and we’ll make mistakes in getting organized. Another source of confusion is that there was a lot of frenzy. Looking back, our passion was so strong because a). this country was royally screwed over and b). it was 2011 and between the Arab Spring and the global protests the atmosphere of the entire world was so energetic. We were inspired: the Arab Spring inspired us! And that generated so much chaos at times, but it’s not as violent as many suspect.
The other complication is that the protests began in 2011. The rage from the bailouts and bonuses seemed misguided and, yeah, late. Like I said, OWS is part of a larger global movement of protests that took off last year. Finally, I think some people are putting the message out there via media like the Internet.
Sydney, Chris, Kate
Some may be socialists. Not all are. I don’t want your money. I can handle myself. I just want our government to serve the people, not the corporate lobby. There are liberal Democrats in power who are just as guilty as Republicans. I just want the corporations that did this to us- that did this to Iraq, to the countries that followed us into Iraq, and to the American people- to be held accountable. I want them to be held accountable for the damage that they did to the economy, too. They did this to us.
I want the power structure to change so that the wealthier do not maintain an unjust advantage over the middle and lower classes. We will earn our own way but we need things like education and, as the battle now focuses on, healthcare to help equal the field so that we all start out on the same level. Maybe some people advocate socialism but it’s a big movement.
So I know that the inevitable groans will come out, but let’s compare it to the Tea Party (groan). Yes, yes, Tea Partiers get offended being associated with OWS and vice versa. But the comparison is this: not every member of the Tea Party agrees on everything. Some may be very socially liberal but economically conservative. And because the Tea Party is predominantly a conservative movement, many conservatives were protesting things like abortion or what they considered to be a breakdown in family values as well, not just economic policy. Family values have nothing to do with economics if you’re a liberal, but if you’re conservative you might see a connection between the two. There’s a lot that they wanted to change. Occupy Wall Street is similar. There’s a lot that they want to overhaul and that is why they’re protesting.
Chris, I really, truly apologize if they interupted your peaceful activism and thank you for remaining peaceful. They are called upon to be respectful and they were not. It doesn’t make them or anyone else look good. I hope in the future we can dialogue with one another when we do interact, not scream or behave like that.
*Well, I say “we.” I haven’t had the opportunity to go to a protest yet, but I support them.
These people need jobs. But the problem is the economy sucks. There aren’t that many jobs out there these days. If the economy was better, maybe the people messing around occuping everything would be too busy working to do their antics on wall street or anywhere else.
That being said, I think some of their antics are horrendous. They also have crime and violence in their occupy camps. They also allow anti-Semites to join them and promote their sick anti-Semitic crap.
Violence, wowever, is never the answer. If I was on a jury and it was clear that the defendant attacked an occupy protester, for reasons that had nothing to do with personal self defense, I would definitely vote to convict. I would vote this way even if the occupy protester was engaging in activity that I find repugnant, or was behaving in an obnoxious manner.
The only time I wouldn’t convict the defendant is if the occupy protester was deliberately harming a child, either physically or sexually, when the defendant attacked. I would also straongly consider mercy for the offspring of a holocaust survivor who went nuts on an occupy protester for an anti-Semitic sign too, depending how severe a punishment the person would face if convicted.
Vannah – If you were to characterize the Tea Party and OWS with prior movements, I would say the Tea Party is most like the American Colonists and the Revolution. OWS on the other hand is reminiscent of the French Revolutionaries – and the coming Terror.
The Tea Party has morphed and leverages the current political process provided it doesn’t shut them out. OWS on the other hand has always been mob-like in it’s behavior. While no single member has dominated the leadership, OWS deliberately shuns this responsibility while the Tea Party is looking for those most qualified through experience.
I could continue to cite numerous similarities, but I think you get the idea. Any comparisons to the Arab Spring aren’t really valid – in those cases you’re dealing with countries living under dictatorial circumstances. It’s a completely invalid analogy.
Arab Spring inspired you?
Vannah, do you know who those people are and what they believe??
“Vannah – If you were to characterize the Tea Party and OWS with prior movements, I would say the Tea Party is most like the American Colonists and the Revolution.”
We must have learned about different American Revolutions in school if you think there are any meaningful similarities whatsoever between the American colonists and a bunch of beer-bellied 60-something slobs waving around mass-produced, Chinese-made American flags and complaining about “entitlements” while gladly accepting Social Security and Medicare.
Wow, Joan knows how to lay some turkey eggs! LOL!
Joan, darling, sweetie-pie,
We all read your passionate comments supporting China’s forced abortions, so it’s awfully hypocritical of you to cast aspersions on China’s manufacturing of American flags.
And, though you obviously don’t collect a paycheck, those of us who do PAY IN to the social security system and are not asking for a “guaranteed income”. Occupiers, many of whom are couch surfers who haven’t paid into any system, much less had any taxes taken out of their allowance from mummy and daddy ARE asking for income BEFORE they have done anything to earn it.
I’m not a tea-partier myself, but you know what? The tea party rallies didn’t have 400 arrests in one 24 hour period. AND, I highly respect the tea partiers for using restrooms and going home at the end of their rallies, rather than defecate on the sidewalk and declare it a political statement. Occupiers are costing their own communities millions of dollars all over the country. Oh, but they’re so young, Vannah says. Yep, a 15 year old Occupier is so young and inexperienced he killed both his parents this week because they dared suggest he stay home.
If Occupiers think that communism is so awesome, then GO TO CHINA. NOW.
You are blaming Occupy for a troubled teenager killing his parents? Can I blame all domestic violence type of situations on whatever political/social associations I please?
Some of the criticism is fair. The rapes in Occupy camps, for sure. The violence in some places. Yup. This situation doesn’t fit.
” AND, I highly respect the tea partiers for using restrooms and going home at the end of their rallies, rather than defecate on the sidewalk and declare it a political statement”
So you think that their summer of disrupting town hall events was proper behavior? You think that the swastika, painted on the office door of a Georgia African-American Democrat during the summer of tea party love, was nice? You think that the anti-Obama racist signs at Tea Party rallies, were ducky? Really?
And BTW, I too live in RI and don’t condone shouting down those with whom you disagree. But then again, it’s the forced birthers who harass women, every Saturday, at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Providence. Thankfully, we have a governor, legislature, and non-Catholic faith communities who stand for choice. We’re not throwing condoms (and that wasn’t mentioned in the Providence Journal article) but we’re pledging our financial and other support to those who respect women’s choices.
Ms. Stanek’s pal, Randall Terry, had to be escorted, by police, out of a townhall meeting in Virginia. Guess that’s fine. Double standard anybody?
“This could not have happened — troll postings here routinely state with pride how RI is filled with enlightened and mature people, you know, pro-choice people who would naturally be above the level of junior-high antics.” – Eric, are you aware of the volume and content on social and other media sites targeting a 16 year old RI schoolgirl and its source?
Umm…I have a friend who was a Tea Party organizer in Ohio before she moved here. She’s about 5 years younger than I am at least a foot taller, and absolutely GORGEOUS.
joan’s obviously pretty susceptible to propaganda.
Jack, I’m not blaming Occupy for his crime, but I do blame Occupy for encouraging a minor (only 15 years old) to hang out at all hours of the day and night, committing crimes including breaking and entering, destruction of property, and more. The youth murdered his parents during the same time period that his 400 “friends” were getting arrested for such crimes. Many of the Occupiers have been in the possession of firearms and many weapons have been recovered when they’ve been rousted out of various locations. So, yes, Jack, the Occupy camps are not a good place for young people to find mentors.
I was too young to be a real hippie. I thought they had been all about peace and love. But a few years ago and older friend summed it up quite well when he described his own experience during the “summer of love.” “I didn’t care about politics or war,” he admitted, “but it was a great way to meet chicks and get laid.” Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.
Well I am a tea-partier. I have been to rallies. I do not have a beer belly, though I do proudly have a baby belly. I am not on SS or medicare. I have never been on welfare. I don’t expect others to take care of me. I am also not 60 and not male.
The thing is the tea party movement is not about social issues like homosexuality or abortion. It is about FISCAL responsibility. There are democrats there, independents like me, Republicans. We just want the government to tax less, spend less and be good stewards of the taxes they do bring in.
The OWS has about 8 million different viewpoints. But the ones I hear resounding the loudest are ones of socialism and marxism and that greatly concerns me.
I support the right to protest so I support OWS right to protest. I do NOT support their right to take over people’s homes, defecate on public property, engage in sex publicly or worse, rape others, trash public property, shut down businesses and generally act like the animals they have chosen to act like. They shut down a bridge here in Philly with people trying to get home from work, some of whom were my family members. Way to stick it to the 1%. Pffft.
Most of the wealthy in our country got that way through hard work. Should they be terrorized for that?
I am most upset by people like Pelosi who made MILLIONS by insider trading that would have gotten her a prison term if she wasn’t a politician. I am most upset by the millions made by Newt Gingrich who “advised” Fannie and Freddie and helped create the housing market mess we have. I am an equal opportunity hater. I hate Dems and Repubs. I say lets stop bailing out these corporations. Lets allow companies to take risks if they want to and reap the rewards or failures that arise. That is NOT what OWS stands for. That is what the tea party stands for.
…but we’re pledging our financial and other support to those who respect women’s choices TO DISMEMBER THEIR INNOCENT TINY CHILDREN.
There, fixed that for ya.
I’ll continue actually purchase diapers, strollers, car seats, and food for women and their children. In fact, cc, just for you I’m going to send a nice gift to one of the pregnancy centers IN YOUR CITY. I think I’ll put a card in the envelope and sign it FROM YOU.
The headline looks like something out of the Onion. It took me a second to realize it was serious. Lots of bloggers are not fans of lots of things. And nobody really cares except said bloggers.
“are you aware of the volume and content on social and other media sites targeting a 16 year old RI schoolgirl and its source?” Bullying is always wrong and I condemn it, no matter the perps or victims. Your question, however, hardly negates the hypocrisy of painting one group of people, ie Rhode Islanders, as somehow superior to others from supposed knuckle-dragging regions.
Courtnay,
Yes. The Arab Spring greatly inspired me, as did Los Indignados. I do know who they are, have followed the revolutions closely, and have written critical essays on the uprisings in class (I’m thinking about majoring in Middle Eastern Studies). I’ve followed it from every possible angle ranging from the superb coverage of Al-Jazeera to the attrocious coverage of Russia Today. To say that America’s recent coverage is pretty fatalistic is an understatement.
These movements are not perfect and it may go wrong. Unfortunately, many movements, particularly Libya, had to descend into chaos to overthrow their dictators. To say that OWS is inspired by the Arab Spring is accurate. They are not the same movements, no, because OWS is protesting from mainly an economic standpoint. We do not have dictators so we don’t understand exactly what the Egyptians or the Yemenis or Syrians are going through, but we can take their courage to heart. If we live in a republic, we have a responsibility to safeguard it from anyone- Bank of America, corrupt individuals, etc- who would wish to abuse the system.
Joan,
I appreciate that you have your opinions on the Tea Party- I probably share these opinions- but let’s not resort to body-shaming.
I almost can’t resist the irony of de Nile.
Vannah, are there any Occupy encampments left? Here they cleared em out a long time ago. The area was beginning to have an odor and there had been sexual assaults and robberies. They also cost the city thousands of dollars in overtime. I agree with some of their principles, but I didn’t see what the encampment was accomplishing.
Joan, Reality: Did either of you ever go to a tea party? I went to one near I work just to observe. I did see anti-Obama signs, but I didnt see any that were racist (but then again this is a city with a large minority population). It was mostly middle-aged white people (not too many “beer-bellied 60-something slobs” — but there were a few people of color and younger people. One kid had a sign that said “don’t tax me ‘bro” which I thought was kind of funny.
Personally I’m glad OWS is happening-they’re showing the world who leftie wackjobs in this country really are. I hope people remember on election day.