Comments on: Occupy Albany: you had me at hello, then you lost me at “this is what oppression looks like!”

By: Say what you want about Occupy Albany. I want to talk about pepper spray. - Kevin Marshall's America | Kevin Marshall's America

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:44:31 +0000

[…] with the sentiment and tone behind the Occupy movement, the vagueness of some of its goals, and the propensity for melodrama and grandstanding. They’re pretty well documented. An APD mounted officer arms a can of pepper spray during the […]

By: Karl Schlegel

Karl Schlegel — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:39:00 +0000

Also, to FINALLY answer your question: yes, this is exactly how I felt about the Tea Party; problem is that they’ve been around long enough for the full hangover to set in, and all faith in any good coming from them was lost long ago.

The party ended the day Christine O’Donnell was taken seriously as a candidate for elected office.

By: Karl Schlegel

Karl Schlegel — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:35:00 +0000

At least the Feds gave better advice this time, compared to the last time I can think of…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waco_siege

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:39:00 +0000

Wait a minute: you mean to tell me that Homeland Security and the FBI gave advice to the New York City Police on an extended encampment of thousands of undocumented people in the middle of Manhattan that was initially organized by and has participants known to be associated with Anarchist and other fringe organizations?

Fuck. You could knock me over with a feather right now.

By: -S

-S — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:34:00 +0000

Surprise, Homeland Security Coordinates #OWS Crackdowns "According to this official, in several recent conference calls and briefings, local police agencies were advised to seek a legal reason to evict residents of tent cities, focusing on zoning laws and existing curfew rules. Agencies were also advised to demonstrate a massive show of police force, including large numbers in riot gear. In particular, the FBI reportedly advised on press relations, with one presentation suggesting that any moves to evict protesters be coordinated for a time when the press was the least likely to be present." The big "curfew-law" sleight of hand. With a baton at the end of it.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:52:00 +0000

-S, I mentioned curfew laws because that’s what was violated and that’s what was focused on. They made an effort specifically to break the law in opposition to Cuomo. Am I not supposed to mention that?

It’s also very important to note that the Occupy demonstrators have insisted and continue to insist that the curfew itself is illegal. They might believe that, but it’s flat out false. There’s no need to be to be specifically designated by a sign or by a standalone law when it isn’t at all and never has been. Cuomo used the law in his favor, but he didn’t and isn’t breaking it. There’s a HUGE difference there and it needs to be acknowledged.

Civil disobedience is breaking a law to prove a point or because you think the law itself is unjust. Not breaking the law and then claiming – incorrectly – that the law itself doesn’t exist. That just further discredits the cause.

By: EZ

EZ — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:16:00 +0000

Kevin, I think it’s time to rethink the replies layout. Or am I the only one seeing this as one super skinny post?

By: Karl Schlegel

Karl Schlegel — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:21:00 +0000

You continue to apply my use of the word “fringe” to a lot more than was ever intended; I meant a radical minority within the movement, not the entirety of protestors (as Schneiderman was speaking about, for context). Please go re-read my initial use of the phrase.

Frankly your insistence on twisting my words for your own use, in some attempt to spit them back in my face is unnecessary. I have been simply trying to point out that unless some centralized and focused leadership steps up then this movement will continue to be defined in the media and the public by the worst actions of it, by the radical factions within it. I have never made the Occupy movement as a whole out to be some terrible thing, as you seem determined to believe I have.

By: -S

-S — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:10:00 +0000

On TU today: The governor could appoint Attorney General Eric Schneiderman as a special prosecutor to supersede Soares (i.e. expecting him to make more arrests). Here is what Schneiderman had to say about your “fringe”: “I think the wrong way to look at this is that it’s some strange group of fringe characters,” Schneiderman said. “I think the right way to look at this is that it’s the tip of an iceberg of very widely felt public sentiment, that there’s been a lack of accountability and that we’re not even trying to live up to our national aspiration of equal justice under law”.

Word.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Could-a-legal-ploy-scuttle-protest-2269452.php#ixzz1dn6QQU6J

By: Ed Lass

Ed Lass — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:24:00 +0000

You think I’m trying to fool you? You think my convictions are held less sincerely than yours? My man, you need to listen to differing perspectives. The park IS the point, if not for you, then at least for me. The park is my point. Do you understand? My city center is what I care about, and I do so as truthfully as you care about all your beliefs. I don’t know why you think my beliefs are “sudden.” I’ve been an advocate for Downtown Albany for years. It’s true that there hasn’t been a massive tenement movement until recently, so maybe I’m saying things that I didn’t need to say before. However, my beliefs are consistent and sincere. The park is the point.