Occupy Wall St endorsements

As of October 6, 2011, the fledgling Occupy Wall Street Movement had been directly endorsed by more than 50 organizations and labor unions, and supported by Democratic political leaders, local officials and celebrity-activists across the nation.

This article features a samplng of these endorsements and statements of empathy and support for the Occupy Wall Street Movement, also known as the 99 Percent Movement. Also read: From President Obama
"I think it expresses the frustrations the American people feel, that we had the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression, huge collateral damage all throughout the country ... and yet you're still seeing some of the same folks who acted irresponsibly trying to fight efforts to crack down on the abusive practices that got us into this in the first place..." --- October 6, 2011 Press Conference From Federal Reserve Bank Chairman Paul Bernank
"Well, I would say very generally I think people are quite unhappy with the state of the economy and what’s happening. They blame, with some justification, the problems in the financial sector for getting us into this mess, and they’re dissatisfied with the policy response here in Washington...

"I can’t blame them. Certainly 9 percent unemployment and very slow growth is not a very good situation." --- Congressional Testimony, October 4, 2011

From the Los Angeles City Council, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
"Protesters who have gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles to show solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street protesters in lower Manhattan received 100 rain ponchos from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday morning...

"The mayor of the city is not the only official to support the demonstration. Seven of the 15 councilmembers on Wednesday voted to support 'peaceful and vibrant exercise in First Amendment Rights carried out by Occupy Los Angeles'." --- Los Angeles Times, October 5, 2011

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
"The focus is on Wall Street and justifiably so. The message of the American people is that no longer … will the recklessness of some on Wall Street cause massive joblessness on Main Street...

"God bless them for their spontaneity. It’s young, it’s spontaneous, it’s focused and it’s going to be effective." --- Comments to Press, October 6, 2011

From Sen. Russ Feingold, former three-term senator from Wisconsin
"I’m really encouraged by what I’m seeing. People around the country are finally organizing to stand up to the huge influence of corporations on government and our lives. This kind of citizen reaction to corporate power and corporate greed is long overdue." --- Washington Post, October 5, 2011 From Richard Trumka, President of AFL-CIO, representing 11 million U.S. workers
"I think it’s a tactic and a valid tactic to call attention to a problem. Wall Street is out of control... We need to bring back balance to the financial economy, and calling attention to it and peacefully protesting is a very legitimate way of doing it.

"I think being in the streets and calling attention to issues is sometimes the only recourse you have because, God only knows, you can go to the Hill, and you can talk to a lot of people and see nothing ever happen…..."--- C-SPAN interview by Brookings Institute, September 30, 2011

From Vice President Joe Biden
"What is the core of that protest, and why is it increasing in terms of the people it's attracting? The core is the bargain has been breached with the American people. The American people do not think the system is fair or on the level." Comments to Press, October 6, 2011 Rep. Barney Frank, 15-Term Congressman from Massachusetts
"I certainly welcome the energy, I would just like to see it better channeled. The problem is, it’s going to get dissipated real fast if the energy is not channeled...

"If I thought there was no chance at success, I wouldn’t urge people to do it... I’m of the opinion they represent a good deal of public opinion." --- National Review interview, October 5, 2011

Related - Also read Occupy Wall Street Movement Could Influence 2012 Elections

View the original article here

Repubs on Occupy Wall Street

Republican political leaders' reactions to the Occupy Wall Street movement range from condescension and the usual hypocrisy to paranoia, fear, and sheer looniness.

As the movement has flourished, a few have softened their public stances to include politically palatable empathy. But none changed their colorful, core reactions, which are listed below for the 2012 presidential candidates and assorted other Republican reactionaries.

For more about the Occupy Wall Street Movement, see:

Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor - See Liberal Guide to Mitt Romney in 2012
"I think it’s dangerous, this class warfare." --- October 4, 2011 remarks at Florida retirement community

Herman Cain, radio personality, businessman - See Liberal Guide to Herman Cain in 2012
"... I happen to believe that these demonstrations are planned and orchestrated to distract from the failed policies of the Obama administration. Don't blame Wall Street, don't blame the big banks, if you don't have a job and you're not rich, blame yourself! --- October 5, 2011 remarks to the press

Rick Perry, Texas governor - See Liberal Guide to Rick Perry in 2012
"Liberals are now pointing the finger of blame at successful employers under the guise of fairness, but when they utter phrases like 'fair share' you just know, heh, they’re once again playing fast and furious with the truth.

"And the truth is you can’t reve up the engine of economic growth by heaping higher taxes on job creators, you can’t spread success by punishing it... " --- October 7, 2011 remarks at conservative Value Voters Summit

Karl Rove, Bush administration senior advisor, Republican strategist
"What are these people for? To the degree that they're for anything, it's left-wing nuttiness." --- October 10, 2011 remarks to Fox News anchor Sean Hannity

Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House
"I think the people who are protesting in Wall Street break into two groups: one is left-wing agitators who would be happy to show up next week on any other topic, and the other is sincere middle-class people who frankly are very close to the Tea Party people who care.

"And actually...you can tell which are which. The people who are decent, responsible citizens pick up after themselves. The people who are just out there as activists trash the place and walk off and are proud of having trashed it, so let’s draw that distinction." --- October 11, 2011 remarks at Republican debate

Rand Paul, U.S. Senator from Kentucky
"I see the president’s rhetoric of envy inflaming the public and saying, ‘Go get yours because rich people don’t deserve it.'

"I see it as inflaming this Paris mob that I hope doesn't result in a lawlessness where they say, 'Well, gosh, those nice iPads through the window should be mine and why don't I throw a brick through the window to get them because rich people don't deserve to have them when I can't have them.'" --- October 7, 2011 remarks to Fox Business News

Eric Cantor, House Republican Leader
"If you read the newspapers today, I, for one, am increasingly concerned about the growing mobs occupying Wall Street and the other cities across the country. And believe it or not, some in this town, have actually condoned the pitting of Americans against Americans...." --- October 7, 2011 remarks at conservative Value Voters Summit

Michele Bachmann, Congresswoman from Minnesota
"Barack Obama’s policies have put us in one of the worst tailspins economically that we have. Maybe that’s why the protest I saw was within shouting distance of the White House." --- October 9, 2011 remarks to Fox News

Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania
""These are the same old folks who have been protesting since the Vietnam war ... they really don't curry much favor in my book." --- October 7, 2011 remarks to CNBC

Paul Broun, Congressman from Georgia
"Well, if you look at what they’ve been telling in the media, they don’t know why they’re there, they’re just mad. And I see people angry in my district too, but this attack upon business, attack upon industry, attack upon freedom, and I think that’s what this is all about." --- October 7, 2011 remarks to ABC News

View the original article here

Occupy Wall St Movement Basics

The Occupy Wall Street Movement, also known as the 99 Percent Movement has rapidly swelled from a grassroots band of several hundred protesters marching in New York City on September 17, 2011 to, by October 1, 2011, energized protest demonstrations in ten major U.S. cities, as well as a powerful internet presence.

As of October 6, 2011, the fledgling movement had been directly endorsed by more than 50 organizations and labor unions, and supported by Democratic political leaders, celebrity-activists, and local officials across the nation. Protester ranks were joined by four labor unions. Said Fed Chairman Paul Bernanke on October 4th about the Occupy Wall Street Movement, "I Don't Blame Them For Protesting."

See Some claim that the movement sprang to life in response to MSNBC anchor Dylan Ratigan's late September 2011 call for Americans to sign a petition that It's Time to GET MONEY OUT of politics.

Brief Background

The original Occupy Wall Street Movement started as a series of nonviolent demonstrations by under-30-years-old denizens of New York dissatisfied with rampant U.S. corporate greed in the face of economic struggles for most Americans in 2011, and angry about the influential role of corporate money on the U.S. political process and government.

Disallowed by law to erect tents on Manhattan public property, thousands of protesters soon began occupying Zuccotti Park, sleeping at night in cardboard boxes. Zuccotti Park is located amidst Manhattan's financial district.

On September 24, a number of protesters marching from Zuccotti Park to Union Square were doused with pepper spray by New York police officers.

On Saturday, October 1, the New York Police arrested 700 protesterss they marched across the Brooklyn Bridge, allegedly for blocking the street. "By October 2, all but 20 of the arrestees had been released with citations for disorderly conduct and a criminal court summons," per Wikipedia.

Per the New York Times, "The police said it was the marchers’ choice that led to the enforcement action, but protesters said they believed the police had tricked them, allowing them onto the bridge, and even escorting them partway across, only to trap them in orange netting after hundreds had entered."

Description of the Occupy Wall Street Movement

Per the OccupyWallStreet.org website, "Occupy Wall Street is leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%. We are using the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to achieve our ends and encourage the use of nonviolence to maximize the safety of all participants."

Declaration of the Occupation of New York City

On September 30, 2011, the General Assembly of the Occupy Wall Street Movement published its formal declaration. The main, context-setting paragraph is below. The impassioned full-text text of the Declaration can be found at Declaration and Manifesto of the Occupy Wall Street Movement.

"As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth."We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known."

Endorsements and Support

As of October 5, 2011, four labor unions... American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Communications Workers of America, the Amalgamated Transit Union, National Nurses United... representing more than 3.5 million American workers, are set to join protesters in marches in New York and across the nation.

See Endorsements, Support for Occupy Wall Street Movement for statements of support and encouragement by some of the more than 50 organizations and labor unions, and dozens of Democratic political leaders, celebrity-activists and local officials.

Related - Also read Occupy Wall Street Movement Could Influence 2012 Elections

View the original article here

Occupy Wall St endorsements

As of October 6, 2011, the fledgling Occupy Wall Street Movement had been directly endorsed by more than 50 organizations and labor unions, and supported by Democratic political leaders, local officials and celebrity-activists across the nation.

This article features a samplng of these endorsements and statements of empathy and support for the Occupy Wall Street Movement, also known as the 99 Percent Movement. Also read: From President Obama
"I think it expresses the frustrations the American people feel, that we had the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression, huge collateral damage all throughout the country ... and yet you're still seeing some of the same folks who acted irresponsibly trying to fight efforts to crack down on the abusive practices that got us into this in the first place..." --- October 6, 2011 Press Conference From Federal Reserve Bank Chairman Paul Bernank
"Well, I would say very generally I think people are quite unhappy with the state of the economy and what’s happening. They blame, with some justification, the problems in the financial sector for getting us into this mess, and they’re dissatisfied with the policy response here in Washington...

"I can’t blame them. Certainly 9 percent unemployment and very slow growth is not a very good situation." --- Congressional Testimony, October 4, 2011

From the Los Angeles City Council, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
"Protesters who have gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles to show solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street protesters in lower Manhattan received 100 rain ponchos from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday morning...

"The mayor of the city is not the only official to support the demonstration. Seven of the 15 councilmembers on Wednesday voted to support 'peaceful and vibrant exercise in First Amendment Rights carried out by Occupy Los Angeles'." --- Los Angeles Times, October 5, 2011

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
"The focus is on Wall Street and justifiably so. The message of the American people is that no longer … will the recklessness of some on Wall Street cause massive joblessness on Main Street...

"God bless them for their spontaneity. It’s young, it’s spontaneous, it’s focused and it’s going to be effective." --- Comments to Press, October 6, 2011

From Sen. Russ Feingold, former three-term senator from Wisconsin
"I’m really encouraged by what I’m seeing. People around the country are finally organizing to stand up to the huge influence of corporations on government and our lives. This kind of citizen reaction to corporate power and corporate greed is long overdue." --- Washington Post, October 5, 2011 From Richard Trumka, President of AFL-CIO, representing 11 million U.S. workers
"I think it’s a tactic and a valid tactic to call attention to a problem. Wall Street is out of control... We need to bring back balance to the financial economy, and calling attention to it and peacefully protesting is a very legitimate way of doing it.

"I think being in the streets and calling attention to issues is sometimes the only recourse you have because, God only knows, you can go to the Hill, and you can talk to a lot of people and see nothing ever happen…..."--- C-SPAN interview by Brookings Institute, September 30, 2011

From Vice President Joe Biden
"What is the core of that protest, and why is it increasing in terms of the people it's attracting? The core is the bargain has been breached with the American people. The American people do not think the system is fair or on the level." Comments to Press, October 6, 2011 Rep. Barney Frank, 15-Term Congressman from Massachusetts
"I certainly welcome the energy, I would just like to see it better channeled. The problem is, it’s going to get dissipated real fast if the energy is not channeled...

"If I thought there was no chance at success, I wouldn’t urge people to do it... I’m of the opinion they represent a good deal of public opinion." --- National Review interview, October 5, 2011

Related - Also read Occupy Wall Street Movement Could Influence 2012 Elections

View the original article here

Occupy Wall St Movement Basics

The Occupy Wall Street Movement, also known as the 99 Percent Movement has rapidly swelled from a grassroots band of several hundred protesters marching in New York City on September 17, 2011 to, by October 1, 2011, energized protest demonstrations in ten major U.S. cities, as well as a powerful internet presence.

As of October 6, 2011, the fledgling movement had been directly endorsed by more than 50 organizations and labor unions, and supported by Democratic political leaders, celebrity-activists, and local officials across the nation. Protester ranks were joined by four labor unions. Said Fed Chairman Paul Bernanke on October 4th about the Occupy Wall Street Movement, "I Don't Blame Them For Protesting."

See Some claim that the movement sprang to life in response to MSNBC anchor Dylan Ratigan's late September 2011 call for Americans to sign a petition that It's Time to GET MONEY OUT of politics.

Brief Background

The original Occupy Wall Street Movement started as a series of nonviolent demonstrations by under-30-years-old denizens of New York dissatisfied with rampant U.S. corporate greed in the face of economic struggles for most Americans in 2011, and angry about the influential role of corporate money on the U.S. political process and government.

Disallowed by law to erect tents on Manhattan public property, thousands of protesters soon began occupying Zuccotti Park, sleeping at night in cardboard boxes. Zuccotti Park is located amidst Manhattan's financial district.

On September 24, a number of protesters marching from Zuccotti Park to Union Square were doused with pepper spray by New York police officers.

On Saturday, October 1, the New York Police arrested 700 protesterss they marched across the Brooklyn Bridge, allegedly for blocking the street. "By October 2, all but 20 of the arrestees had been released with citations for disorderly conduct and a criminal court summons," per Wikipedia.

Per the New York Times, "The police said it was the marchers’ choice that led to the enforcement action, but protesters said they believed the police had tricked them, allowing them onto the bridge, and even escorting them partway across, only to trap them in orange netting after hundreds had entered."

Description of the Occupy Wall Street Movement

Per the OccupyWallStreet.org website, "Occupy Wall Street is leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%. We are using the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to achieve our ends and encourage the use of nonviolence to maximize the safety of all participants."

Declaration of the Occupation of New York City

On September 30, 2011, the General Assembly of the Occupy Wall Street Movement published its formal declaration. The main, context-setting paragraph is below. The impassioned full-text text of the Declaration can be found at Declaration and Manifesto of the Occupy Wall Street Movement.

"As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth."We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known."

Endorsements and Support

As of October 5, 2011, four labor unions... American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Communications Workers of America, the Amalgamated Transit Union, National Nurses United... representing more than 3.5 million American workers, are set to join protesters in marches in New York and across the nation.

See Endorsements, Support for Occupy Wall Street Movement for statements of support and encouragement by some of the more than 50 organizations and labor unions, and dozens of Democratic political leaders, celebrity-activists and local officials.

Related - Also read Occupy Wall Street Movement Could Influence 2012 Elections

View the original article here

Repubs on Occupy Wall Street

Republican political leaders' reactions to the Occupy Wall Street movement range from condescension and the usual hypocrisy to paranoia, fear, and sheer looniness.

As the movement has flourished, a few have softened their public stances to include politically palatable empathy. But none changed their colorful, core reactions, which are listed below for the 2012 presidential candidates and assorted other Republican reactionaries.

For more about the Occupy Wall Street Movement, see:

Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor - See Liberal Guide to Mitt Romney in 2012
"I think it’s dangerous, this class warfare." --- October 4, 2011 remarks at Florida retirement community

Herman Cain, radio personality, businessman - See Liberal Guide to Herman Cain in 2012
"... I happen to believe that these demonstrations are planned and orchestrated to distract from the failed policies of the Obama administration. Don't blame Wall Street, don't blame the big banks, if you don't have a job and you're not rich, blame yourself! --- October 5, 2011 remarks to the press

Rick Perry, Texas governor - See Liberal Guide to Rick Perry in 2012
"Liberals are now pointing the finger of blame at successful employers under the guise of fairness, but when they utter phrases like 'fair share' you just know, heh, they’re once again playing fast and furious with the truth.

"And the truth is you can’t reve up the engine of economic growth by heaping higher taxes on job creators, you can’t spread success by punishing it... " --- October 7, 2011 remarks at conservative Value Voters Summit

Karl Rove, Bush administration senior advisor, Republican strategist
"What are these people for? To the degree that they're for anything, it's left-wing nuttiness." --- October 10, 2011 remarks to Fox News anchor Sean Hannity

Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House
"I think the people who are protesting in Wall Street break into two groups: one is left-wing agitators who would be happy to show up next week on any other topic, and the other is sincere middle-class people who frankly are very close to the Tea Party people who care.

"And actually...you can tell which are which. The people who are decent, responsible citizens pick up after themselves. The people who are just out there as activists trash the place and walk off and are proud of having trashed it, so let’s draw that distinction." --- October 11, 2011 remarks at Republican debate

Rand Paul, U.S. Senator from Kentucky
"I see the president’s rhetoric of envy inflaming the public and saying, ‘Go get yours because rich people don’t deserve it.'

"I see it as inflaming this Paris mob that I hope doesn't result in a lawlessness where they say, 'Well, gosh, those nice iPads through the window should be mine and why don't I throw a brick through the window to get them because rich people don't deserve to have them when I can't have them.'" --- October 7, 2011 remarks to Fox Business News

Eric Cantor, House Republican Leader
"If you read the newspapers today, I, for one, am increasingly concerned about the growing mobs occupying Wall Street and the other cities across the country. And believe it or not, some in this town, have actually condoned the pitting of Americans against Americans...." --- October 7, 2011 remarks at conservative Value Voters Summit

Michele Bachmann, Congresswoman from Minnesota
"Barack Obama’s policies have put us in one of the worst tailspins economically that we have. Maybe that’s why the protest I saw was within shouting distance of the White House." --- October 9, 2011 remarks to Fox News

Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania
""These are the same old folks who have been protesting since the Vietnam war ... they really don't curry much favor in my book." --- October 7, 2011 remarks to CNBC

Paul Broun, Congressman from Georgia
"Well, if you look at what they’ve been telling in the media, they don’t know why they’re there, they’re just mad. And I see people angry in my district too, but this attack upon business, attack upon industry, attack upon freedom, and I think that’s what this is all about." --- October 7, 2011 remarks to ABC News

View the original article here