Submitted by Drake DaCosta (not verified) on Mon, 2011-10-31 23:06.
On the topic of Occupy Vancouver, I can’t help but think that at this point in time is when it either dies or takes off, but that’s really just my opinion. Although I did find a post worth sharing not too long ago, so if you’re into a bit more info/opinion, here’s an article I can recommend (linkage if you’re interested in a peek: http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/showlink.aspx?bookmarkid=AGGNEL... Cheers!
Submitted by Lilla Pappa (not verified) on Sat, 2011-10-15 21:16.
I personally (meaning I represent no one but myself) would like to see a 'real' occupation occur in terms of where people put their money. Stopping off at at slave-labour franchise and paying with a commercial bank card for pre-packaged, genetically modified and commercially-grown food on the way to the protest is not going to cut it.
Each and every one of us has to put up or shut up. Take our banking business to credit unions and cease giving our business to transnational corporations who export profit FROM Canada.
Beyond that, they use the promise of "jobs" to bully politicians into tax and land deregulation breaks, but what kind of "jobs" are these? They are part-time, minimum-wage, no benefits, and most of the people who work them fall well below the personal deductible so they don't pay income tax. They also tend to be low income, so they require health-care and fair pharmacare subsidies.
So, essentially, we're selling on the cheap prime potential food production land to corporations who, in turn, demand that Canadian taxpayers subsidize the workers they're too cheap to pay out of the billions of dollars of profit they make their shareholders and CEO/CFO/CTO CWhateverO's....
And, on the other end, we're underpaying workers who work slave labour for even SLAVIER wages for the privilege of substandard water, housing, food and government to produce poorly mad goods out of materials made from harming the environment.
Then, we've got hundreds of tonnes of fossil fuels being burned in between these two parties to get the goods to market. Along with a layer of parasitic stockholders, bankers and bureaucrats slicing their piece of the meny off in between for doing nothing other than having the power to blackmail into doing their evil for them while they sun themselves in Monaco.
What can I do? I can walk away. I can walk by the McDonalds to the local Organic food store and maintain absolute control over who gets my money and why. I can leave my bank and give my credit union my money - because they'll lend it to local small businesses who want to keep the money in my community, and because I can own my share of their corporate governance and take some responsibility for my credit union's direction.
We do have this power. We've always had it. It's just that we fail to acknowledge and deal with our own petty hypocrisies (and we ALL have them) enough to be willing to make the sacrifices required to EXERCISE that power.
I did NOT go to Starbucks on my way to the protest today. I brought three BC-grown, organic apples. I did NOT drive. I took the bus. I made a couple choices today. The more of us willing to make those small choices, the bigger this movement gets, because ultimately, we can shout from the rooftops all we like. And that needs to be done too, but the silent actions that steal money from the machine that crushes us - THAT will be the real revolution.
I can understand the angst and the sense of hopelessness that many feel. I completely get the corporate greed stuff and I know that it is tough out there.
I do not in any way support the idea that Capitalism is bad.
If these types of events were held in Eastern Europe in the not too far away past they would be met with armed troopers and tanks.
Even though things may be difficult for many, relatively stable governance and certain freedoms should not be taken for granted.
On the topic of Occupy Vancouver, I can’t help but think that at this point in time is when it either dies or takes off, but that’s really just my opinion. Although I did find a post worth sharing not too long ago, so if you’re into a bit more info/opinion, here’s an article I can recommend (linkage if you’re interested in a peek: http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/showlink.aspx?bookmarkid=AGGNEL... Cheers!
From the Kerrisdale Courier
A little boost for the crowd on wednesday. From the Vancouver Sun.
from the Globe and Mail
http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/margaret-wente/notes-from-the...
From the New Yorker
Some are saying it will last to NewYears Eve. Really? Will something be accomplished by then?
I personally (meaning I represent no one but myself) would like to see a 'real' occupation occur in terms of where people put their money. Stopping off at at slave-labour franchise and paying with a commercial bank card for pre-packaged, genetically modified and commercially-grown food on the way to the protest is not going to cut it.
Each and every one of us has to put up or shut up. Take our banking business to credit unions and cease giving our business to transnational corporations who export profit FROM Canada.
Beyond that, they use the promise of "jobs" to bully politicians into tax and land deregulation breaks, but what kind of "jobs" are these? They are part-time, minimum-wage, no benefits, and most of the people who work them fall well below the personal deductible so they don't pay income tax. They also tend to be low income, so they require health-care and fair pharmacare subsidies.
So, essentially, we're selling on the cheap prime potential food production land to corporations who, in turn, demand that Canadian taxpayers subsidize the workers they're too cheap to pay out of the billions of dollars of profit they make their shareholders and CEO/CFO/CTO CWhateverO's....
And, on the other end, we're underpaying workers who work slave labour for even SLAVIER wages for the privilege of substandard water, housing, food and government to produce poorly mad goods out of materials made from harming the environment.
Then, we've got hundreds of tonnes of fossil fuels being burned in between these two parties to get the goods to market. Along with a layer of parasitic stockholders, bankers and bureaucrats slicing their piece of the meny off in between for doing nothing other than having the power to blackmail into doing their evil for them while they sun themselves in Monaco.
What can I do? I can walk away. I can walk by the McDonalds to the local Organic food store and maintain absolute control over who gets my money and why. I can leave my bank and give my credit union my money - because they'll lend it to local small businesses who want to keep the money in my community, and because I can own my share of their corporate governance and take some responsibility for my credit union's direction.
We do have this power. We've always had it. It's just that we fail to acknowledge and deal with our own petty hypocrisies (and we ALL have them) enough to be willing to make the sacrifices required to EXERCISE that power.
I did NOT go to Starbucks on my way to the protest today. I brought three BC-grown, organic apples. I did NOT drive. I took the bus. I made a couple choices today. The more of us willing to make those small choices, the bigger this movement gets, because ultimately, we can shout from the rooftops all we like. And that needs to be done too, but the silent actions that steal money from the machine that crushes us - THAT will be the real revolution.
Looking forward to Occupying my bed and getting some relief from the terrible angst of daily life.
Its time to think about moving to a less oppressive country.
Can we get through the night without a fire?
Hopefully "hippie" and others in the throngs find someone who can play the guitar. Tamborines and bongos don't do it.
Legitimate music might make the difference? Who will emerge as the "Occupy Dylan"?
With all that goes on in the communities of Delta you would think that some enterprising group would be "occupying" somewhere?
Latest on Occupy Vancouver form CTV News
I can understand the angst and the sense of hopelessness that many feel. I completely get the corporate greed stuff and I know that it is tough out there.
I do not in any way support the idea that Capitalism is bad.
If these types of events were held in Eastern Europe in the not too far away past they would be met with armed troopers and tanks.
Even though things may be difficult for many, relatively stable governance and certain freedoms should not be taken for granted.
What do you think?
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