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Comments Posted By Emerald1943

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When The Simmering Public Finally Erupts

Really good point, KT! I calmed down a lot when I had my two kids…but don’t tell them! I’m still crazy! 🙂

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 3:23 pm

Adonai, the young are sometimes the first to be hurt. Take the students who are facing a mountain of debt just to complete their educations. This system has not helped them at all. What do they have to look forward to when they are unable to get any job, even working for a fast food place? They are also emotionally less restrained than we older folks. They come at the problems from their hearts. God bless them all for their passion! I remember well the time that I spent during the Vietnam era when I was much, much younger. Those were heady days indeed.

When do we stop leaving them the bill? I don’t know for sure, but this protest is growing and we can only hope that it will bring true change over the long haul.

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 2:41 pm

Hi KT! Revolution is a young man’s game for sure. There comes a time in all our lives when we are no longer able to walk, much less march!! 🙂

But in spite of physical infirmity, I can still yell at the top of my lungs! I can write and I can encourage! I am so proud of that bunch of protesters at Wall Street! Let’s hope that this is the beginning of a massive change in this country…it’s way overdue!

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 2:31 pm

Hi Kes! You guys have all the fun! Nothing of importance seems to ever happen down here in NC! I would love to attend something like that!

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 2:25 pm

Adlib, while some criticized Michael Moore for his appearance there last night, I still think it is a good thing, never mind his personal reasons for doing so. He did make some very good points about the corporate greed and emphasized the point that this is a real grassroots movement. There are no printed signs, only hand-lettered on cardboard boxes. It takes an emotional appeal to get people involved, and they are being quite successful in doing that.

BTW, I might have missed something, but I have not seen even ONE misspelled sign, unlike the teabaggers’ ugly signs in Washington last year! Does this tell us something about the relative intelligence of the crowd? Ha! 🙂

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 1:58 pm

CL, no, I’m not talking about your favorite store in Placerville. I’m talking about a small hardware store in the mountains of North Carolina that had been in business for close to 100 years. The building was old but well-maintained. The floors were old oak and creaked when you walked across them. There were bins of every kind of nails and screws, tools, housewares, utensils for everything, old-fashioned oil lamps, and the only place where you could buy replacement wicks for them.

I don’t know how Wally-World was able to come to town. It was rumored at the time that they had bought off the town council, but who knows? Of course, the prices were cheaper than what our old, familiar hardware could offer since it was cheap Chinese goods for the most part, bought in bulk by the big-box store. Small businesses simply cannot survive this kind of competition. Fair? I don’t know. All I know is that I miss “Farmer’s Hardware”. Maybe this is just the price of “progress”. 🙁

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 1:40 pm

Hi CL! Please know that if I was not all the way across the country from you, I would be there for sure! Suffice it to say, I am there with you in spirit! 🙂

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 1:12 pm

Adlib, your point about preventing corporations from “devouring the competition” is a really good one. It has been a shame to see what has happened in my little mountain town. The biggest of the big-box stores moved in and and a number of small local businesses were run completely out of business. We used to have the most wonderful old-fashion hardware store in the center of town where you could find practically anything you could possibly want. The store had been in business for many, many years. They sold an amazing line of cast iron cookware that you cannot find anywhere else. It was a shame to see them close up shop. But after Wally-World came to town, they just couldn’t survive.

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 12:45 pm

Bito, this is wonderful news! Thanks for posting! I don’t see your comments as harsh…I have been saying the same thing. The signs for “Free Bradley Manning” and against “Clean Coal” really should be for another time and place, IMO. I feel that the protesters should focus on corporate greed and the issue of income inequality, as you suggested earlier. After all, those are the real reasons for the discontent of the people. “Save the rainforest”, while important, really has nothing to do with the issues!

The union involvement will be a huge boost! Manpower and money for signs, banners, and supplies. Microphones, platforms for speeches, etc. are needed. If anybody can organize, the unions can do it! Please keep us posted if you hear any other news! 🙂

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 12:33 pm

Adlib, I would agree with you for sure, but I just don’t anyone to get hurt. It is imperative that the protesters remain non-violent, even in the face of police brutality. That was something that brought so many people to the side of Dr. Martin Luther King during the civil rights marches. The American people don’t like to see peaceful protesters mistreated by the cops. I will admit, however, that your image is one that I would like to see! 🙂

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 12:18 pm

Adlib, I hope that the protesters can turn UP the temperature before the actual temperature goes down in Zucotti Park! 🙂

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 9:19 am

Hi CL! It’s good you are back to keep us educated! You have such a broad understanding of these issues…I always learn so much from you. 🙂

I understand your point about Michael Moore, but I would urge him to continue his support, whether he is up on the law or not. These protests are coming from raw emotions right now, and certainly not based on the legality of what the corporations have done. For there to be changes in the law, I would think that this is the only way that the people can begin the process…to be taken over later by the lawyers.

With persistence, hopefully those “unprincipled and immoral” corporations will be held up as reasons why the laws must be changed to protect the consumers. I am sure you know that this process will take a very long time. Participation by self-serving celebrities may be irritating, but if people like Moore continue supporting the protests, it will help to bring focus to the groups and media coverage of their events…not a bad thing IMO.

This protests and the others planned will be seen by the American people as what a TRUE grassroots movement looks like…not a bought and paid for event by the Koch brothers! I would that I had the ability to help with fund-raising for them for signs, banners, and other supplies. They need the services of a good PR person, as well as a leader with organizational abilities. Are YOU available?? 🙂 LOL

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 9:15 am

Bito, FOCUS is the word of the day, for sure! If their leaders will insist on putting this one issue out there, I believe they will be seen more favorably.

Corporate Greed/Income Inequality is a great place to start!

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 9:00 am

Hey Sue and Bito, thanks so much for the information on Howard Zinn! I was already interested in learning about him from just looking him up on the Google last night, but now you really have my interest peaked, or is it piqued?

I hope his writings are available on Kindle. My eyes will not allow too much book reading. At least on KIndle, I can enlarge the type. 🙂

The price of getting old!

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 29, 2011 @ 8:49 am

Sue, I’m behind the times. I’ve heard of Zinn but don’t know anything about him.

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 7:14 pm

Hi Sabreen! I’m with you on that, ever since he took on the task of bashing the President! That really p*ssed me off! But I am glad that he chose to support the protests.

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 6:27 pm

Bito, I agree with your point about the message and the lack of organization. However, the “if it bleeds” part is very important as a separate issue. Police brutality is rampant in this country. Ask any AA guy in Mississippi! It is extremely important that this story is brought out in to the light.

Following LO’s show, Rachel is doing a segment on the police brutality at the LA jail and the inmates that have been beaten to a bloody pulp by a gang of deputies there. The FBI has been investigating under cover. Good! Enough of this cr*p! It’s been tolerated for far too long!

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 6:16 pm

No, she is at Tulane in New Orleans.

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 5:56 pm

Sue, according to his website, he is at Princeton. His CV is quite impressive.

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 5:53 pm

I thought he taught up there too. I will have to Google it to make sure.

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 5:50 pm

It has just been announced that the police officer who sprayed those women will be investigated by the NYPD Internal Affairs. The New York Times is covering the issue.

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 5:47 pm

An article about West and his visits to Wall Street:

http://gothamist.com/2011/09/27/dr_cornel_west_joins_occupy_wall_st.php#photo-1

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 5:41 pm

Sue, I’ll just bet YOU could do the job! Just hop on a plane…but remember, no shampoo over 3 oz.! LMAO

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 5:39 pm

Okay, cynical! LMAO 🙂

I know what you mean, but I am of the opinion that any exposure is good right now…if we want the protests to continue.

BTW, LO is now going to expose the police officer that pepper sprayed those women, complete with his name and rank! Wow!

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 5:37 pm

Sue, thanks. I just want everybody to know what’s going on. I’m pleased with LO’s coverage.

Cornell West lives in New York, if I’m not mistaken. He should do more than make one appearance. I hope Michael can keep it up. His influence could be huge!

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 5:34 pm

Sue, he sounds pretty sincere to me. I am shocked that FUX news is there! They so need someone like him to call attention to the protests. I don’t really care if he’s there to get his face on the tube. If it helps, so be it!
He’s calling for people to come out.

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 5:18 pm

Lawrence O’Donnell is on a HUGE roll! Michael Moore is AT Wall Street tonight! Tune in if you can!

ADDENDUM: There is a FOX NEWS CREW covering it!

I noticed that the Fox cameraman was nodding his head as Michael Moore was talking about corporate greed! This is great!! Exactly what the movement needs!

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 5:04 pm

Sue, that’s how I got into trouble, mentioning West’s bashing of the President! Ha!

I was thinking…what these guys need is the help of a good PR person to help them with their message and the best way to present it. Just shouting slogans and walking up and down the street NEAR Wall Street behind barricades is not going to do anything much except rile up the police.

ADDENDUM: Lawrence O’Donnell just opened his show with “Michael Moore goes to Wall Street”…hold on! Let’s see what’s happening!

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 4:57 pm

Sue, thus far they are hanging in there! I really applaud them for doing so, especially the way the NYPD has been acting. It won’t be too long before the outside temperature goes way down. I wonder how many will continue to sleep in the park. It takes some real devotion to sleep in the freezing cold!

Another question…the main campus of NYU is not far away from where this is taking place. Where are all the students? I would think they would show up.

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 4:52 pm

Sue, I didn’t! I just figured that this person was totally ignorant or he wouldn’t have said that.

» Posted By Emerald1943 On September 28, 2011 @ 4:48 pm