The Next Phase of the Occupy Movement is very tricky.

[ixion]

Now that we've gotten the attention of the powers that be, they will try to mollify the movement by appearing to be willing to acquiesce to the movement, but what will really be happening is an attempt to destroy it by turning it into pop culture. Obama getting elected on a mantle of 'change' and then maintaining the status quo is a prime example of this. And we have to be careful not to trade it away for a pittance, or a slogan, or a few shallow gestures.


What the Occupy Movement is about is a paradigm shift, and the status quo is not going to allow that to happen easily. What will happen next, will be that the MSM picks up on it and attempts to render it toothless by turning it into a few sound bytes, by selecting a handful of 'moderate' candidates who will then fall into the status quo fold.

It's important that we not lose site of the goal of trying to bring about real change, and that we not trade a bonafide movement away for a few scraps from the table.

Just wanted to get that out there. I'll write something more detailed about it as things move forward, but it's something that we need to be aware of now.

The Powers that Be will not go quietly into the night. They will fight like hell, and we need to be ready to meet that head on.

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. Definitely. The movement needs to be larger and stronger. It will get there, of course.

I was taught that two competing directions can come to crisis if the old, losing direction struggles too much. Considering the righteousness and speedy growth of #OWS, here's hoping that more and more jump ship leaving only the new, positive direction going.

I have faith in this cause, in these people, in us. I have faith that this is the right time and that it must happen.

[ixion]

5. me, too. We need to remain clear-headed and persist in the demands

of an end to corruption at the corporate and governmental levels. The unrec crew is already hard at work trying to obscure this message.

[Fire Walk With Me]

12. Anyone unrecc'ing these posts is voting for Wall Street. Unbelievable.

[dixiegrrrrl]

36. I posted elsewhere that MSM is trying to discount message by saying

"But there is no leadership to the group and there seems to be some confusion about their message."

in various newspapers.
Found the same phrase in coverage of Occupy Wall Street AND in local paper reporting on Occupy Seattle.

[ixion]

38. Yep. Their marching memes have come through

and they'll be fighting like hell to squelch the movement.

[louslobbs]

37. +1 Here's my Rec to make up for at least one of the unrecs by a corporate loving dirt bag troll

Lou

[ixion]

39. Thanks, Lou!

much appreciated! :toast:

[louslobbs]

41. You bet and thanks for the thread. n/t

Lou

[Avalux]

2. Ridicule....

First they ignore us, then they ridicule us, then they fight us, then we win.

OWS is at the ridicule stage now. Those participating must remain peaceful and persistent; fully aware of what we're up against.

No, it will not be easy, but we can't get discouraged by the roadblocks and ridicule orchestrated by the Powers that Be.

The Strength of 99 will overcome the Power of 1.

[ixion]

3. yep, exactly.

agree 100%

[Vincardog]

4. The last thing the movement needs is to listen to a$$hat$ on the Dylan Ratigan show

[ixion]

13. Yep, exactly.

They'll kill it by pretending to embrace it.

[dtexdem]

6. Ballot status in as many states as possible would be one goal.

But there are many nonelectoral goals as well.

[ixion]

8. I believe it needs to be bigger than that.

anything short of a paradigm shift will mean that the status quo wins.

[Cats Against Frist]

18. Not everyone wants a paradigm shift

And aiming for something like that is suicide. Sensible reforms to address the targeted concerns about the collusion of economic interest in government is and should be the only focus right now.

[ixion]

21. have you read the statement from OWS?

That is most definitely calling for a paradigm shift. Anything less is a loss to the status quo.

[Doctor_J]

61. Suicide? Actually, setting the sights LOWER than that is suicide

Sensible "incremental" reforms are the last things that are needed right now. That's what got us ACA instead of single payer. If you want to be thrown a bone, you're going to be happy when you get one. Finally, "collusion of economic interest in government" will not be fixed by sensible reforms, but by the paradigm shift that OP wants.

[NNN0LHI]

7. Never forget we are in a war of words with people who buy ink by the barrel

Long as we don't ever underestimate the enemy we should be alright.

Don

[ixion]

9. I agree. Well said.

[lunatica]

10. Well they've gotta react. We're poking a stick at them

I so love saying we. I totally feel like the 99%. I am the 99%. I can't be there with them but they have my support and they're speak and taking to the streets for me.

[ixion]

11. me, too. I'm doing what I can, and I love being part of the movement in that regard.

'We' is such a beautiful word, in this context. :toast:

[Gregorian]

14. Organized speeches.

I am wondering what next moves might be. General strikes might not be as positive as countering the media with our own rhetoric.

Huge speeches that no one can't hear. Calling out the crucial points and people who created this mess. And what needs to be done to fix it. Not the least of which is an FCC shake up.

The weak point of this may be that organized crowds require permission.

[ixion]

17. yeah, I imagine we'll have to cross some boundary lines

because they're set up specifically to quell this type of thing.

[ChandlerJr]

15. The real tricky part will be to make sure that the leaders that

will inevitably emerge in the movement don't take things in the wrong direction. It's what many times happened in the 60's and it became a powerful struggle between personalities that only had their own agenda in mind.

It doesn't have to happen but charismatic "leaders" will make the attempt. Be careful who you throw in with.

[ixion]

20. they're waiting in the wings

and we need to shut them down as soon as they try and co-opt it for their own agenda.

[xiamiam]

22. these young people are different..i have faith in them..nt

[ixion]

27. they're doing wonderfully thus far...

and they have my complete support.

[nc4bo]

16. Which is why I think the OWS not having a centralized figurehead(s) is a very good thing

let others join but under no circumstances let the entire movement boil down to one specific person(s).

[ixion]

19. agree 100%

as soon as it becomes about personalities, it's over.

[Jim Warren]

23. There is no script in improv

and the general disillusionment in the democratic premise follows from the failure to appreciate it's character as an improvisation.

[ixion]

26. well stated

and I agree.

[TheBigotBasher]

24. Keep public sympathy.

No rioting.
No looting.
Call out agents provocateurs.Sideline them.
Where possible co-operate with the police.

They will then hold and retain public support.

[ixion]

25. yep. good advice.

glad you're on board! :toast:

[Occupied1]

28. There is a huge presence RIGHT NOW. Area flooded with demonstrators. Significant union presence.

http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution

Could someone please start a thread on it?

[ixion]

29. I'll start it for you... Welcome to DU!

Glad to have you here! :toast:

[Occupied1]

31. Thanks!

[ixion]

32. sure thing!

happy to help out. :)

[ixion]

30. here you go...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2061724

[Megahurtz]

51. Go Unions!

:woohoo:

[Lyric]

33. The TRULY tricky part is trying to convince people that our elected officials

even the "good" ones--are not really on our side. Not any of them. They CAN'T be. They are the part of the 1% power structure.

Some of them might be more sympathetic than others, but they simply do not have the deep personal stake in this that all of US do. Therefore their priorities will always be skewed toward the 1%.

It took me years to really GET that point, and in the end, it took someone pointing out that the same thing is true for racial struggle and gender struggle before I finally made the connection to the political power gap. People who are part of the power structure of this country are not CAPABLE of being "one of us", because they just AREN'T. No matter how much we love them, no matter how good we think they are (Kucinich, anyone?) the fact remains that these are people with direct access to (if not ownership of) wealth and power. Maybe some of them don't WANT that unfair privilege, but they have it nonetheless. Right wing, left wing, centrist--they ALL are part of the 1%.

We can't count on leaders or politicians to help us; in fact, their participation might make it worse. We have to get this done ourselves. I sincerely hope that our elected leaders stay OUT of OWS. Otherwise it's going to be usurped and made into yet another partisan political football, which in turn will suck the soul right out of it. Once the media can reduce it to just another spat between Democrats and Republicans, it's already over.

[ixion]

35. I agree. That is a big hurdle.

We see it even here at DU. People become so invested in their 'team' that they can't see that they are promoting the system they claim to reject, and why none of these people are going to be able to help with the movement, because ultimately they would destroy it.

It's about We, the People, and it's going to have to continue that way.

[shanti]

34. paradigm shift, indeed

it's happening as we speak. there is no stopping it.

[ixion]

43. I certainly hope your right...

if we remain true to the cause and don't let the naysayers and grifters convolute the message, we will prevail.

[Shagbark Hickory]

40. These protests are a dream come true for corporations and the G.O.P.

[ixion]

42. No, they're a dream come true for We, the People

and a nightmare for the Powers that Be, IF we remain true to the goals of the movement.

[Shagbark Hickory]

44. We've had this discussion before.

If the "powers that be" is the Obama administration, then yeah I agree. This is bad news for them as they aren't addressing the demands of the protesters.

This is great news for the rethugs and corporations as this many disenfranchised democratic voters are basically rallying in discontent against their own party's policies.

[ixion]

45. They are all one in the same, and they are part of the problem.

At some point, I sincerely hope you're able to come to realize that.

[Shagbark Hickory]

46. Maybe one of these days.

:+
Are you saying the Retubbies and the Democrats are one in the same?

[ixion]

47. Yes. They are both part of the status quo. And Yes, I know you don't agree.

Nevertheless, if we remain true to the goals set forth, we will prevail, and a paradigm shift will occur.

[Shagbark Hickory]

48. I may not agree but I sure as hell don't disagree.

The two have some striking similarities now that you mention it.

[ixion]

50. Glad to hear!

We don't always have to agree. It's about people, not parties. :toast:

[deutsey]

49. +1

[kenfrequed]

58. Message messge message message message

Seriously,

The protestors aims and desires are completely comaptible with progressive democratic ideals. They are the perfect excuse to try to push through progressive policy. These protests each day afford us the chance to talk about Wallstreet and the banks and point out to how it is those people that have been screwing us over. I really don't see this as a loss to democrats unless they are friggin blue dogs.

[sarcasmo]

52. The top 1 % has the money but the people still have the power.

[ixion]

53. Indeed. and if we remain true to the stated goals

keep a clear mind and a pure heart, we will win.

[glinda]

54. Oh please let there be physical removal and jailing of those responsible.

The 1% I mean.

[coalition_unwilling]

55. Time for some specific and maximalist demands. I think starting with

a demand that all individuals' assets in excess of $1 million be expropriated immediately might be a good place to start (coupled with universal, single-payer healthcare).

[flamingdem]

56. Why not recruit Bernie Sanders?

He can articulate and has articulated most of the OWS slate

[Odin2005]

57. The Corporate Dems will try to hijack the movement like the Pukes hijacked the Tea Party.

That must not be allowed to happen.

[robertpaulsen]

59. It MUST be a paradigm shift. Until you change the way money works, YOU CHANGE NOTHING! n/t

[femrap]

60. Ready to take

down the Corporate Bullies!