BILL CLINTON, DEMS CANCEL AFTER OCCUPY PHILLY BRAVES COLD #occupyphilly

[one_voice]

Day 24 – Former President Bill Clinton, Congressman Chaka Fattah and Mayor Michael Nutter cancelled appearances today at Temple University after more than 200 Occupy Philadelphia participants braved the rain, snow, sleet and bitter cold to protest silence from politicians on important issues.



Occupy Philadelphia objects to the domination of American politics by corporate interests. A system that places the power of campaign contributions over the power of people leaves people of color, women, LGBTAQ individuals, workers, indigenous people, people with disabilities and countless others in the 99% disenfranchised.



Protestors wore bandanas over their mouths printed with corporate logos of the biggest political contributors such as Bank of America, Comcast and Wells Fargo. Signs had the issues important to participants that politicians remain silent on like healthcare, jobs and student debt.



Alan Sable of the Direct Action Working Group was on the ground for the event, “They canceled this at the last minute when they realized that the only people who showed up, despite the weather, were there to protest the silencing of the 99%. Rain, snow, hail; we will keep going, just like we did today. From Cantor to Clinton we’re not going to stop until the corporate money is taken out of politics and politicians listen to the voice of the people; the voice of the 99%.”

http://www.facebook.com/notes/occupy-philadelphia/bill-clinton-dems-cancel-after-occupy-philly-braves-cold-occupyphilly/133161373453405

****UPDATE FROM OCCUPY PHILADELPHIA'S FACEBOOK******

Occupy Philadelphia
brrrrrrrrrr.....a little chilly at city hall but nothing we cant handle...we are accepting donations of heaters,blankets etc...anything you can give will be put to use...thanks!

http://www.facebook.com/OccupyPhiladelphia/posts/133154890120720

*****UPDATE*****
Occupy Philadelphia
ATTN: Occupy Philly camp is 33 degrees, blowing wind, snow and hail- Help us weather this storm- this is all hands on deck- Bring rope, twine, tarps, wool blankets etc

[marmar]

1. Occupy Movement > Wimpy Corporate Dems

nt

[scentopine]

29. assert(democracy != NULL);

[txlibdem]

42. Occupy Movement > Dems, GOP, Top 1%, and their sycophants and cronies

:patriot:

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Modern_Matthew]

3. What's wrong, Billy? Afraid this crowd can't be hypnotized by charm? nt

[roguevalley]

19. they should have showed up in blue dresses. the coward.

[Liquorice]

28. His plane couldn't take off to get into Philadelphia. Coward? Blue dresses? Jesus. You

really don't think Bill Clinton is afraid of some people protesting, do you? Really? Please. You can call Bill Clinton many things, but he's not a coward. That guy isn't scared of talking with ANYONE. He can discuss any political or economic issue you can think of with anyone in the world. You do know he was the president of the United States for 8 years, right? I think he's faced bigger opposition than Occupy Philly during his career. LOL

I have no respect for people who judge blindly and without looking for the facts. Those kinds of people are the same ones who forward 10,00 right wing emails to everyone they know saying all kinds of stupid erroneous things about democrats--calling them cowards, etc. Sad to see that kind of thing here.

[Enthusiast]

32. Right. Clinton isn't afraid.

But, he needs to make amends by admitting that NAFTA and Gramm-Leach-Bliley were ill conceived. Of course he will never do this.

And just imagine we added an additional three FREE trade deals.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

38. And that he was a STRONG proponent of deregulation.

Bush-Clinton-Bush-Obama(More Clinton) The kids are occupying Wall Street for a reason.

[Marazinia]

41. Before and After Clinton

I know outsourcing began decades before Clinton, but he really opened the floodgates, and I remember in my area, that before Clinton there were now hiring signs everywhere and there was even concern that there weren't enough workers in the economy. In other words, we didn't have too many good, high paying jobs, but we did have too many jobs.

The Democrats are not innocent bystanders in any of this, much less are they champions of the people. The same corporate money that elects Republicans elects Democrats. I understand that this forum is called Democratic Underground, but this issue is not going to be resolved by firmly and blindly voting Democrat forever. Even if you were to elect the one Democrat I think is genuine President (Dennis Kucinich) what about Congress? It's time for a new party, and if Americans are too frightened to stomach that, then the best that can be done is to run new candidates in every contested election, withdrawing support from even those Democrats in office in favor of non-corporate Dems. If you can't do that, my Democrat friends, we might as well go make peace with our corporate overlords, because they will only grow more powerful.

[PatrynXX]

49. hey that'd be like Obama admitting the mandate

was a repubican (sic) idea.

Nafta was a Bush Sr idea

But rushing to judgment would be like believing that someone intentionally pushed a motorcycle over in Denver when it was just self defense or a Reporter arrested for public intoxication when he had the bloody camera on him (minus the video) when the whole world is watching, they can listen in too. don't turn into the other side. rushing to judgment :(

[liberalmike27]

35. I just saw

A clip advertising Joe Scarborough, where in a nutshell he admitted to doing everything the republicans wanted, signing unjust and onerous legislation into law. He said (Scar) "We did the things the country needed," which as you know means hurt the poor, gave the rich carte-blanche to screw the poor, imprison the poor, cut welfare, cut the good things, pushed the bad things.

I was late to realize it, but I finally understood Clinton for just another democratic sell-out, albeit a popular one. I think the one thing I both do and don't understand is that the OWS protests aren't choosing a party, and that is because the things they are most complicit on in the last 35 years or so, are exactly the worst things about society.

Both Democrats and Republicans use prisons to control poverty, through mostly the drug-war, and the poverty is basically created, on purpose, to destroy labor in this country, and here we sit. So while it may seem aimless for the OWS protestors to be,well, partyless, it is understandable. Democrats need to get back to being democrats. That said, I'm not sure how you do much but throw a tantrum without allies in power.

[Modern_Matthew]

48. Even when faced with scandal, he faced the nation and told the truth. nt

[liberation]

50. Of course Bill Clinton is not afraid, it just depends on what the definition of "afraid" is

paraphrasing what a brave politician once said...

[DeSwiss]

51. What's even sadder is that it's true. :-/ n/t

[quickesst]

52. Personally....

....and I'm not hard to find, but I think you just addressed the real cowards, and they're hiding behind their keyboards right here. Proves that being a dumbass is not a right wing thing. Clinton is not a coward, and the pathetic attempts to demonize him just prove how low some so-called "progressives" can sink to. Thanks Liquorice. Props.
quickesst

[davidwparker]

43. +1

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[pipi_k]

5. Ummm....

Maybe it's not so much about comfort as it is about safety?

As in, it's incredibly stupid to be out traveling in rain, sleet, and snow if it's not absolutely necessary.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tularetom]

6. Cold had nothin to do with it

Clinton doesn't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

And this time it's blowing right at him.

And he knows these people are onto him and not about to buy his bullshit.

The last thing this movement needs is a phony like Clinton polluting their message and coopting their energy.

[bread_and_roses]

30. ++ - "Bill Clinton's reaction to the Wall Street protests is a perfect case of political clinching"

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/10/29-7

The protesters should beware not only of enemies, but also of false friends who pretend to support them but are already working hard to dilute the protest. In the same way we get coffee without caffeine, beer without alcohol, ice-cream without fat, those in power will try to make the protests into a harmless moralistic gesture.

In boxing, to clinch means to hold the opponent's body with one or both arms in order to prevent or hinder punches. Bill Clinton's reaction to the Wall Street protests is a perfect case of political clinching. Clinton thinks that the protests are "on balance … a positive thing", but he is worried about the nebulousness of the cause: "They need to be for something specific, and not just against something because if you're just against something, someone else will fill the vacuum you create," he said. Clinton suggested the protesters get behind President Obama's jobs plan, which he claimed would create "a couple million jobs in the next year and a half".

ROFL. False friends indeed. As if that puny "jobs plan" would even begin to address the problem. Or for that matter, the homeowners relief for only those who have not missed a payment - ROFL again - yeah, that's a big help ... or the paltry relief offered on student loans. Talk about band-aids on a mortal wound.

[sabrina 1]

44. They ARE for something. And he's far too intelligent not to

know what that is. They are for 'Getting Wall Street Out Of Our Government'. After that is accomplished, the damage done by our Wall Street Representatives in Congress and the WH can begin to be repaired, like restoring Glass Steagal (thanks President Clinton) and breaking up the Corporate Conglomerates that have turned the Media into nothing more than a propaganda machine for Corporate America (thanks again President Clinton).

If he wants to talk seriously about or to OWS, he should start by dropping the pretext that he that he thinks they have no goals or message. A majority of the American people get it, I'm sure with his intelligence he gets it also. He just doesn't like it.

[bread_and_roses]

45. no quarell with any of that here (n/t)

[pscot]

53. Sounds like they're testing the waters

Clinton dips a toe in, but it's too chilly.

[DURHAM D]

8. Unless Clinton is already in Philly how is he supposed to get there?

Three to four hour delay at airport.

[gateley]

10. There could be a valid reason - you're right. If not, then it's disappointing.

But the good OWS/Philly folks don't seem deterred! :thumbsup:

[dsc]

15. because they are already in philly

which means that they don't need to fly.

[gateley]

22. Then it's pretty weasel-y of them. Wonder what reason they'll give? nt

[dsc]

25. No I meant the protesters are already in Philly

so the fact that the airports have delays is irrelevent to them but not so to Clinton.

[gateley]

26. Oh, got it. nt

[WillyT]

9. HUGE K & R !!!

:kick:

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. HeatMax Hot Hands 2 Handwarmers......all the cold Occupiers need these!

http://www.amazon.com/HeatMax-Hot-Hands-Handwarmer-Pairs/dp/B0007ZF4OA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1319924141&sr=8-2

just saying.............
they work in shoes, too.

[one_voice]

12. Thanks...

gonna see what I can do to get some to the cold areas. I live in Delaware...so Philly is closest to me...

[dixiegrrrrl]

14. Amazon will deliver. Jus saying.

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. See this, btw.....

"But the first big test could come next month, when the city embarks on a long-planned $50 million rehabilitation of the plaza currently inhabited by the protesters. Officials have asked Occupy Philly to move across the street to another municipal plaza, but participants haven't yet agreed."

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-developments-global-occupy-protests-14841678

[one_voice]

17. Thanks for that...

I will keep an eye on the local new. I like that Amazon delivers. That's the route I'd go.

[starroute]

13. Eric Cantor already ducked out rather than face Occupy Philly

Seems like they're piling up something of a track record.

[Donnachaidh]

18. Cap'n Nafta afraid to face the crowds of unemployed HE facilitated?

Carpetbagger Clinton. Spine not included.

[Puzzledtraveller]

20. Trying to hide behind the weather was he?

[louslobbs]

21. K&R n/t

Lou

[DonCoquixote]

23. Funny

Back when he was president, he was expected to brave danger for his country, life his wife PRETENDED to do in former Yugoslavia.

Clinton, you did some good, but you and your wife should be on your knees apologizing for the concessions you made that have come back to hurt us, as well as the way you let Kerry out to dry when he was swift boated back in 2004. Ask Monica for the kneepads, she probably still has them.

[bvar22]

24. If the Old Dog can't run with the 99%...

...he SHOULD stay on the porch!



You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.
Solidarity99!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Remember Me]

27. I wonder if they're surprised, or even disappointed?

Seems like more of the same from our Illustrious Leaders.

[Enthusiast]

31. kr

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bigtree]

34. for the life of me

I don't see what blocking these men from their rally would accomplish that should be supported . . . if these protestors WERE actually the cause of the former Democratic president's cancellation. An article I'm reading says 'snowy weather', although some 'personnel' were quoted saying protestors were a 'factor'.

http://www.politicspa.com/cancelled-nutter-rally-with-bill-clinton/29047/

At any rate, I'm hard-pressed to see how blocking these Democrats is going to accomplish anything but a few hurrahs all around, if it's true.

[mistertrickster]

36. Well done! Corporate Dems are getting the message too. nt

[shockra]

37. It's Clinton bashing so I guess it needs to be in all caps.

Yeah, Clinton ran scared because that's what he's always done. :eyes:

[femrap]

39. I am so incredibly proud

of Occupy Philly.

A suggestion to keep warm: Please get supporters of Occupy Philly hand warmers and feet warmers....usually found in the 'hunting section' of stores.

Bless you for standing up to the Oppressors.

[Jack Rabbit]

40. He'll be with us until the last dog dies . . .

. . . I think it died of having NAFTA pushed down its throat.

[PatrynXX]

46. sugest colemans*com

used mickey boots.. certainly won't freeze your feet in those and plenty of blankets

[PatrynXX]

47. probably give glenn beckkk a stroke :P

but it keeps the ears warm http://store.colemans.com/cart/genuine-cold-war-era-russian-military-ushanka-p-2593.html

:P