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Note: The opinions expressed by the moderators and members of this discussion board do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Occupy Together or Occupy Wall St. In the spirit of free information, open discussion, and the freedom of expression, members are able to speak about issues relating and directly pertaining to the Occupy movement. You will be banned for hate speech or intentional misinformation and please refrain from any violent rhetoric; this is a peaceful movement. Thank you.
The Short & Long of Why I Occupy
  • redsliderredslider April 2012 +1 -1
    The short is:

    1. I fully agreed with Occupy's original estimate that the control of our democracy by the 1% had to be ended before any other important issues could be satisfactorily resolved;
    2. I believe that our right to assemble and petition for a redress of grievances is the only remaining non-violent option to accomplishing the goal of #1. To that, I have had to add that the capture and occupation of defining the means of assembly (the "reasonable time, place, manner) is essential and must be added to Occupy's agenda. When I got involved, I didn't realize the extent to which the 1% owned those means. We must take them back before the right to assemble has any meaning;
    3. I have observed (as a poet) that the start of this millennium also coincides with "contract renewal" time for the 1%, who wish to reassert their agenda of self-interest through war, mayhem and injustice for another thousand years. I think it is one of the last opportunities for the people to bid on that contract and assert our ownership of the future on behalf of all the people; not just a few.

    The long of it is:

    My essays on Occupy are at http://www.supportows.org/redslider/occupy-index/

    The story of how/why I got into Occupy is here: http://www.supportows.org/redslider/the-long-now/

    The poem about the thousand year contract, "Time for Renewal" is here: http://poems4change.org/Poems/renewaltime.html (& is also in the story of how I got into occupy)

    whatever your reasons - good luck and solidarity to everyone - Red
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