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Occupy Wall Street: A Vision for A Movement by and for the 99 Percent!

Occupy lives.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 17, 2011 @ 8:06 pm

ONE WEEK LATER…The Movement is Moving but Where?

It’s been a week since this article was published. In that week the headlines have shifted to coverage of growing efforts to end the encampments for safety, and health reasons.

Efforts by Occupiers seem to have become focused on maintaining their camps that is a tactic of and not a goal for the movement. There have been a number of sad events in and around the camps in the last 10 days and even though some are unrelated to Occupy action their proximity to a camp connects them. Movement leadership is hoping to set up encampments on college campuses that is being resisted by colleges and that does not seem to be a great for the group given its “Wall Street” mission.

When I was deeply involved in the Civil Rights movement, we were regularly reminded that our strategy was not THE story. When marches were called off, or demonstrations postponed, or strikes shortened, and we registered disappointment or anger, we were told that these actions were levers to use in the promotion of our well stated priorities and that if they ever became the focus of our efforts then they became obstacles to progress.

This article has been widely discussed here. I appreciate the many comments both supportive and challenging. Unfortunately, the thinking it represents has not been the subject of much discussion among the Occupiers, nor have other efforts to engage their amorphous leadership in discussion regarding broader, long term strategy.

Next steps? It has been suggested that the OWS Movement has identified and gathered a number of like minded persons who are deeply unhappy with many aspects of American and Global life and the movement should be understood as a reservoir of activism and principle. This seems to be a healthy, practical approach that invites the like minded to work together. And is accepting of those who do not want to take that approach.

OFA, Unions, Voter Drives have already taken this approach inviting Occupy Movement participants to link up with its efforts via twitter, facebook, website sign ups with some success. Tying into the anger, disillusionment, and demands of individual Occupiers without expecting group behavior to fit into a well defined agenda or a set of concrete goals makes the best of the situation.

I and a number of my friends will continue to donate materials and services on a case by case basis, and to participate in meaningful events.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 14, 2011 @ 7:28 am

OCCUP????

Here is what I am hearing…..

IT’S GOING WRONG BUT THERE IS STILL TIME….As much as the heart of the movement is in the right place, as real as the movement’s issues are, as authentic as the nature of the protest is….the lack of centralize­d planning and internal legitimate authority is really wearing thin. Long term sit-in protests hardly ever work out. They are too hard to manage and provide too many opportunit­ies to go wrong. The fault can lie with the police, with the organizers­, with malcontent­s, with provocateu­rs., with outside agitators.­…doesn’t matter….­IT GOES WRONG. Time to negotiate a small, space and participan­t limited ongoing occupy with period bigger events in the form of rallies, teach-ins, marches, symbolic actions. And then plan on a mega DC event.

ANY THOUGHTS.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 12, 2011 @ 10:50 am

I hear you. As one of those in the crowds in the 1960’s we were focused on the Military Industrial Complex, American Imperialism, Warmongering, AS LONG AS our own asses were on the line. The most brilliant move by the MIC, Big Government and American Jingoism was to end the draft and then make voluntary enlistment very tempting to the poor and almost poor. We fight our wars with those who are willing to take the risks associated with being in uniform in exchange for the promised payoffs. The Other Side is clever.

What you point to in your comment seems strangely familiar. Turn the focus on the protestors and not what is at the heart of the protest. The trick is how to keep the focus on those who put us in this mess while still taking care of the protestors to assure their effectiveness. One very much affects the other.

SO how to do both….that’s the challenge.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 8, 2011 @ 7:20 pm

He Emerald,

Your most recent comments.
a) The tents will be welcome, now if we can keep them up and get power for them.
b)I buy your freedom vs. license argument (my words,not yours) but there is a deep philosophical divide in the movement on this.
c) So many of the assemblies work by a consensus model that getting to “yes” is really hard to do.

Keep your thoughts flowing…they spur me on.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 8, 2011 @ 6:44 pm

I spent an hour today at another blog arguing with a person who argued that Universal Health Care should have been the litmus test for the Obama Presidency. Better to have no Health Care Act than to have one that was limited. I pointed out that six presidents have wanted to address this and could never get it off the ground. I point out that there are a dozen very significant reforms at work in the ACA. I pointed out that given the makeup of the Senate, it was as good as we could get. NOPE. Did not matter.

Liberal Overreach.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 8, 2011 @ 6:32 pm

First class – more new Gucci than worn buck.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 8, 2011 @ 2:04 pm

Some in the movement certainly have many elements of the Obama agenda, but does the President have their confidence? Seems not in many cases. In trying to stay apolitical, the group may make themselves ineffective and unaffecting.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 8, 2011 @ 2:01 pm

EM

In another conversation I am having with my veteran group, two issues seem paramount. 1) How can the group be organic and young moving with care through a process of discovery, and at the same time,produce a timely blueprint for change. 2) How can the group be all for freedom and impose rules on its members?

Note: The Occupy New York Movement is setting up military type tents which are both winterized and more secure.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 8, 2011 @ 1:59 pm

Yes. I agree and made the argument but was voted down. The group endorsed the standard of “moderate and legal age” alcohol consumption. This may well be because of the practical issues you list. They were very much in favor of not making any policy suggestion that was a unenforceable.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 8, 2011 @ 11:11 am

Don’t know if we have the time for what this organic approach requires. The movement is calling for change without defining its nature. It makes it easy to dismiss the movement. I understand the problem and agree that the breakouts are important – even essential – but they are at odds with developing a cohesive and coherent message.

Winter camps have begun which means the assemblies will be few and smaller.

We are one year from the election that I am beginning to think will make or break the hope for a peaceful return to fairness.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 8, 2011 @ 11:06 am

Solid, workable, and effective thinking on your part. Well done. I am taking notes.

SMART Goals. 1 Specific; 2 Measurable; 3 Attainable; 4 Relevant; 5 Time-Bound.

A business and education model that applies.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 8, 2011 @ 5:33 am

Among the topics that play into this are those that look for the formation of an alternative political party……all that this will do is guarantee that the plutocrats and oligarchs get their way with greater ease.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 8, 2011 @ 5:29 am

But if the movement is not seen as real, realistic practical, forward moving, it will have little impact and be easily dismissed as packs of unformed thinkers complaining without purpose. Time is passing very quickly. The attention they now have could fade as quickly as it came sharply into focus.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 8, 2011 @ 5:26 am

There are a number of initiatives that are now being circulated in regard to this and other long term efforts to keep control of the crowds.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 8, 2011 @ 5:23 am

Occupy’s A**hole Problem: Flashbacks from An Old Hippie

http://occupyamerica.crooksandliars.com/diane-sweet/occupys–Ahole-problem-flashbacks-old

Fits in very well with the post’s Tactics: A Code for Common Occupation

I am forwarding it to a dozen or so in the midst of it all to read and consider.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 7:22 pm

It’s too big, too broad, too easily picked apart. Lots here I agree with but it is buckshot.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 6:56 pm

I completely agree. I fought the battle for all of the reasons you and emerald have raised, but the “freedom” and “need to unwind” and “perfectly legal in moderation” folks won out. So…..

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 6:54 pm

Working within the system…very much your words in “my document”. I am glad you said it so clearly.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 6:44 pm

I agree. The relationship between the unions and Occupy however is not stable.Again, the anti-institutional edge that is so pronounced in OWS.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 6:37 pm

Take a look at my response to Sabreen’s interesting post.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 3:53 pm

All true and it did not win me a single vote.

Had to pick my battles.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 3:51 pm

Hey Sabreen….although I think the poster of this comment may have missed a lot about the movement (its focus, energy, rawness, sharpness, authenticity, true grass rootedness) but the person is right that the movement is very focused on the negative, tends to abhor institutionalism as represented by the President and legislative action as ineffective and a front, and believes that the best solution is to implode the whole system…..which is why folks like myself and many here are calling for a more realistic and more widely appealing approach. We will see if it gains any momentum.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 3:50 pm

I am going to double down on the security issue. Local organizers are very independent, have a deep distrust of money people, and are angry with law enforcement of all kinds. They organizers are dominated by those with very rebellious spirits so this does not surprise me. Still, you are on point- safety, security, key issues.

There is talk now of a coordinating committee working with two in-place organizations (one a union, the other a progressive special interest crowd) for logistical management. We will see.

This document and two others seems to be elevating the discussion. Keep those ideas popping.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 3:39 pm

It has been my privilege to a part of the crowd here at the Planet with yourself very high on my favorite list. You have really added a lot to this discussion (I suspect you recognized your own voice in the document very clearly….yes?) Reciprocal thanks giving to you.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 3:30 pm

I am with you but I was outvoted. The arguments: its legal for adults in moderation warming the body and the spirit. I did not agree but I was one of several. So….

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 3:28 pm

This document is meant to provide one vision in re. to where they might be going. We will see if it serves some real purpose. Thanks for the kudo.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 3:26 pm

Kilgore

Thanks for your kind words.

Your idea about making a point of the scope of the movement is key. Signs, symbols, uniforms, statements of support will help. While those of the far, deep left and those on the margins are important in the movement they cannot be seen to be the movement. This will be a lever to use on the media…reporting about the people who are your audience….

Keeping my notes. Appreciate all thoughts.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 12:30 pm

Em

First responder…and a good one.

I am going to do the same thing I did with the original responders- take notes and do an “addendum”

As to what will happen to this document. I do not know. I wrote the final version along with a small group of vets from the protest trail. We are each disseminating the document to the groups with which we have contact. Of note- we all agreed to give credit to PPOV for the writing assist and access to the document will either be through this site or will be sent as a pdf with the PPOV address in the Credit Line.

As to your ideas: Hope you are right about local law enforcement; the security idea is meeting resistance from the local organizers, DC will require a level of centralized organizing foreign to the movement but the site event is essential. common funding is a great idea for transportation as is off site camping; and the city delegations is a particularly fine idea. So keep your thinking coming.

Most appreciated.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 7, 2011 @ 12:22 pm

Bizarro SupeHerman Cain

Hey confuseddemocrat….welcome. You and I have conversed often at HP….glad to see you at the Planet. I am spending about 1/4 of my blogging time here now.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 6, 2011 @ 10:47 am