Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marcus Tate on October 20, 2011 at 12:21pm

I have to agree with and lbcsrw, It all seems like protests for the sake of protest. People are even admitting that.

Not a good reason to get arrested. As I said before, people are dying of not having not only food buy clean drinkable water in the world and we are sitting around protesting as we text back and forth on out hi tech mobile devices complaining about how bad we  off we are. Sorry but I can't get behind it. There are more worthy causes out there, ones worth jeopardizing  allot for. But it's your right to do what you want here (within the law) and outside of the law if you don't mind getting arrested.

Marcus

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Permalink Reply by JulsnMatt1028 on October 20, 2011 at 4:17pm

Man, I had a really good comment all typed out and then I got up and walked away from the comp and did something to lose all I typed! Arg - Anyways to summarize; power and voice to the people, I get it. However, organization and messaging is a necessary key element to sustained support of a cause. The very machine's the protest are all about sure as hell will have extremely succinct and clear messaging... Stunt arrests won't be enough. 

Support to the cause though, it's much more sincere and wholly organic then the corporate sponsored Tea Party BS. Keep going, get better organized, grow the movement and focus on what you want. Always focus on what you want in life, telling people what you don't want isn't good enough. If you want something, you have to speak it into existence, and focus on it. Say it 7 different ways and 7 different times, until the message is clear and understood. Listen to the critique provided here and improve is all. Even if that critique seems negatively intended, don't get bogged down by that, just get better at what it is your doing... Word.

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Permalink Reply by JulsnMatt1028 on October 20, 2011 at 4:57pm

Interesting... Kevin and Bean on KROQ asked many of the same questions on their show this morning to an actual Occupy LB person... Heather on Kevin & Bean discussing OLB by occupylb

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Permalink Reply by ben smith on October 21, 2011 at 10:24pm

Is there a point to this article? I understand the snarkiness and dismissive nature of the mindless stenographers in the mainstream corporate press. They're corrupt and beholden to the same monied interests that currently control the banks, education and all three branches of the government. But, I would expect more from a new press outlet that's rooted in the community. Here's a concept: Go out there and ask the people why they're occupying. Not some yuppie walking by with her mutt, who thinks she's insulated and safe from the corporate monsters gobbling up the whole damn country. That's why people of conscience are out in the streets, Jesus. If this OWS thing seems unfocused at times it's because we face a myriad of problems as a people. There aren't enough bullet points to address systemic issues dealing with the environment, mass incarceration for profit, money in politics, corporate personhood, imperialist wars, skyhigh medical and education costs and collective bargaining rights in the workplace among others. We're 11 years into a new millenium, and for the first time ever, a generation of Americans will witness their quality of life actually decrease from the prior generation's. That's tragic. It's happening all over the world. Corporations and banks are playing Las Vegas casino games with peoples lives, and then, when they fail, are being bailed out by the same people they just defrauded (i.e. U.S., Greece and Spain, etc.). Needless to say, the current paradigm's unsustainable. So, instead of ridiculing, I commend everyone across the world letting their voices be heard and occupying.

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Permalink Reply by JulsnMatt1028 on October 23, 2011 at 8:48pm

The point of this article is to portray an alternate point of view. If you take a look at most of the coverage from the 562 team, it has either been 100% neutral or very supportive. This is however an open community and web-site. If one has an opinion we encourage the presentation of that opinion and the open and further dialog around that. 

On a personal level, I support the Occupy movements spirit and intention. A healthy dialog is vital to garnering buy in from people who may either be on the fence or not in the camp... Jump in, listen to the criticism, don't get defensive, learn from it, and use it as an opportunity to educate others.

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Permalink Reply by ben smith on October 24, 2011 at 12:53pm

That's fair, JulsnMatt1028. I understand where you're coming from. My only problem is when people call it "unfocused" and then fail to actually attend and ask people why they're camping out at city halls and parks. People aren't doing this because they just have leisure time to burn. We're hurting collectively.

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Permalink Reply by JulsnMatt1028 on October 24, 2011 at 3:44pm

I totally get it. I mean occupying the lobby of Wells Fargo would be trespassing on private property, vs public property where protesting within limits of the law is allowed...

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Permalink Reply by ben smith on October 26, 2011 at 9:05pm

Well, we need to reexamine the whole concept of "public property." Did you see what the police in Oakland did last night? Ordinances, restrictions and curfews are obviously concepts put in to place not to protect people, but to deter any attempts at mass dissent and protests. Long Beach activists and residents and people throughout the country should put pressure on local jurisdictions to repeal these laws. They're archaic.

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Permalink Reply by Sybil Knight on October 27, 2011 at 3:08am

Have you seen how the protesters treated that public property? It's filthy, unsanitary, and downright disgusting. By commandeering public property, the occupiers are depriving the rest of the public fair and equal access and use of that property. What about the rights of the rest of the public, aren't their rights as just as important? There's a difference between use and abuse. What is shown here has nothing to do with the right to assemble. I just wonder if the occupiers treat their homes, yards, and personal property with the same level of disrespect.

They laws were put in force to ensure fair and equal use for everybody, while also safeguarding the public. All over America, people were getting killed in parks at night. It makes since to have normal hours of operation. The Department of Motor Vehicles is public property, they close at night, and it's not legal to sleep inside after closing.  

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Permalink Reply by ben smith on October 30, 2011 at 1:32am

More clueless banter from Sybil. Of course the place is a mess, Sybil. The cops cut up the tents with box cutters, and according to Occupy Oakland occupiers, the OPD took liberty with destroying property. And I can't speak for other parts of the country, but during my visits to the two local Occupy camps, the public was in no way deprived of the "fair and equal access and use of that property." All entryways, sidewalks and benches are unobstructed. Trust me, the cops make sure of that. And aren't occupiers part of the public, too? Or are they aliens? Are these public facilities or not? And your attempted analogy between the DMV and public parks is laughable. Seriously, you don't see the distinction? And far more people die on highways than are killed in parks. Should we close highways at night, too? Enough with the strawman arguments.

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Permalink Reply by Sybil Knight on October 30, 2011 at 5:41am

Enough with the red herring arguments. The issue at hand is the park, the occupation of the park, the illegalities of camping in the park, and the fact that the park is a pigsty as a result of that camping. For whatever the reason, be it safety, sanitation, or the right of quiet enjoyment of neighboring residents - the issue at hand is, if not for the occupation, the park would not be in the condition represented in the picture.

As for fair and equal use of the park... When something is occupied, it is no longer available for the fair and equal use of others. That is the very nature of occupation. An occupation is to take possession and control of a place, which by definition means that it is no longer available for the fair and equal use of others. Either the protesters are occupying or they are merely squatting on public property and camping illegally at night. You cannot have it both ways to suit your argument. Is this an occupation or a picnic?

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Permalink Reply by ben smith on November 2, 2011 at 5:02pm

Didn't you just write in your other posts that you visited the park? Were you barred from entering the premises? Was there a moat full of electric eels stopping you from entering? Explain how your "fair and equal use of the park" was blocked.

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