Αλληλεγγύης – Solidarity!
Thrilled in many ways bout this, yet I remain uneasy with the term “occupation” – U can’t “forcefully possess” (source of quote) what is already yours. Furthermore, it has a military ring to it:
<< (..) 3.
a. Invasion, conquest, and control of a nation or territory by foreign armed forces.
b. The military government exercising control over an occupied nation or territory.
[Middle English occupacioun, from Old French occupacion, from Latin occupti, occuptin-, from occuptus, past participle of occupre, to occupy; see occupy.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.>>
personally, I think, 1 could be drawn 2 the sentiment that especially 3b just happened 2 the American people, inflicted by, ouhm, yeah, the military government, and who knows, what kinda foreign interest may lay on it all (3a) – I figure the people in Zuccotti Park are protesting that exact process. The only feature qualifying 4 “occupation” is that it is temporary – until they get what they want.
All power emerges from the people. The people first, speculations later. I don’t think I really qualify as a socialist but 2 me, trading stuff was always a driving force behind economic success of a place – the scientist in me is just embarrassed facing the utter ignorance bout vital processes of our live systems. This is possible coz they r not factored in2 our current budgeting… Wall Street is ours, always has been, coz no resources change place without a worker being involved in that except maybe 4 earthquakes or the very ancient Egyptians and their guests. If there occur problems 4 residents (which should be scientifically monitored by a well qualified, well paid team of independent researchers), then this should translate in2 the exploration/production company having 2 pay 4 restoration and compensation, limiting the long term profits of such enterprise and making it attractive 2 the market 2 take on sustainability as a part of the profit margin. That’s gonna create drive, real drive, free drive and equal drive, with the benefit of more social justice, with all players having the same conditions and goals, that of making the best and environmentally friendliest product being the number 1 common goal. Employees should get a high return on that manual labour, and income of physical labour or performance of a service cannot be taxed. Income from investments can be taxed. If the IRS could respect that, jobs could be coming up like mushrooms in October …
Anyway, just some thoughts 4 which words should be like glass bowls making a good soup look better and a spoiled dish shame the chef b4 it hits the stomach – here is the email:
The World vs Wall Street
FROM: Emma Ruby-Sachs – Avaaz.org
TO: Maren Molthan – abroadcom.net
Message flagged Saturday, October 8, 2011 6:24:43 PM
Dear friends,
Thousands of Americans have taken over Wall Street — joining a global movement from Madrid to Jerusalem to take back democracy from corrupt interests. If millions of us stand with them, we’ll boost their spirits and show the media and leaders that this is no fringe movement. Click below to sign the petition – every signature will be counted on a giant live counter in the middle of the Wall St. occupation:
Thousands of Americans have non-violently occupied Wall St — an epicentre of global financial power and corruption. They are the latest ray of light in a new movement for social justice that is spreading like wildfire from Madrid to Jerusalem to 146 other cities and counting, but they need our help to succeed.
As working families pay the bill for a financial crisis caused by corrupt elites, the protesters are calling for real democracy, social justice and anti-corruption. But they are under severe pressure from authorities, and some media are dismissing them as fringe groups. If millions of us from across the world stand with them, we’ll boost their resolve and show the media and leaders that the protests are part of a massive mainstream movement for change.
This year could be our century’s 1968, but to succeed it must be a movement of all citizens, from every walk of life. Click to join the call for real democracy — a giant live counter of every one of us who signs the petition will be erected in the centre of the occupation in New York, and live webcasted on the petition page:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/the_world_vs_wall_st/?vl
The worldwide wave of protest is the latest chapter in this year’s story of global people power. In Egypt, people took over Tahrir Square and toppled their dictator. In India, one man’s fast brought millions onto the streets and the government to its knees — winning real action to end corruption. For months, Greek citizens relentlessly protested unfair cuts to public spending. In Spain, thousands of “indignados” defied a ban on pre-election demonstrations and mounted a protest camp in Sol square to speak out against political corruption and the government’s handling of the economic crisis. And this summer across Israel, people have built “tent cities” to protest against the rising costs of housing and for social justice.
These national threads are connected by a global narrative of determination to end the collusion of corrupt elites and politicians — who have in many countries helped cause a damaging financial crisis and now want working families to pay the bill. The mass movement that is responding can not only ensure that the burden of recession doesn’t fall on the most vulnerable, it can also help right the balance of power between democracy and corruption. Click to stand with the movement:
avaaz.org/en/the_world_vs_wall_st/?vl
In every uprising, from Cairo to New York, the call for an accountable government that serves the people is clear, and our global community has backed that people power across the world wherever it has broken out. The time of politicians in the pocket of the corrupt few is ending, and in its place we are building real democracies, of, by, and for people.
With hope,
Emma, Maria Paz, Alice, Ricken, Morgan, Brianna, Shibayan and the rest of the Avaaz team
SOURCES
Unions, students join Wall Street protesters (Businessweek)
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9Q6CA3O0.htm
Spanish youth rally in Madrid echoes Egypt protests (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13437819
Anti-austerity protesters block Greek ministries (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/04/greece-idUSL5E7L40BV20111004
Occupy Wall St – online resources for the occupation
http://occupywallst.org/
Occupy Wall St primer (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/occupy-wall-street-a-primer/2011/08/25/gIQAbX7oHL_blog.html