The fate of the world
POSTED BY: WashsYoungerSexierBr
UPDATED: Friday, December 2, 2011 15:17
VIEWED: 2490
PAGE 3 of 3
That's kinda the darker side of what cat-herders, aka Protest Marshals DO.
Only again, most of them have refused to commit because they feel OWS doesn't have what it takes, is unwilling to do what it might take, in order to accomplish their objective.
Frankly, conventional protest these days just collects the dissenters in one convenient heap with a pre-loaded bullseye painted on their foreheads so they can be abused in a manner that "teaches a lesson" to anyone thinking of resistance, as well as conveniently identified, placed on a "list" and tracked.
All without accomplishing much other than reinforcing the very notion that with sufficient dismissal, mockery and violence, they can be rendered a non-threat, BECAUSE they are unwilling to defend themselves and their rights with force even when it is warranted.
That right there is why I have refused involvement, because what it says on paper, under the law, about defending oneself from abuses from agents of the state, and what the realities of it are - seem to be very different, thus making "the law" and all that stems from it polite fiction at best, so what VALUE does it have, to play by rules written by people not at all bound by them while you are ?
Of course, there's involvement, and ..err, involvement, and I am seemingly-forbidden by my own people from going down there and offering "helpful advice" - something which kinda pisses me off since I hate that for-your-own-good bullshit from ANYONE, but if I didn't trust their judgement they'd not be in the loop to begin with, and while there are times when opening a can of whoopass is appropriate to the situation I ain't completely convinced this is one of em, nor do I really wish to help perpetuate a situation a lot of those folk are hoping to avoid.
It grates though, never think it doesn't.
-Frem
I do not serve the Blind God.
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Sorry, Anthony, I'm afraid I posted that to the wrong thread. I was responding to something about the police brutality against occupy, but I don't see it posted here.
That's what a ship is, you know - it's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that's what a ship needs.
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Anthony, the second choice is most common, tho' it's not a "caste" (not sure what you mean by that). It's volunteers who have chosen that job, and they do the best they can. What Frem said is true, however; their resources for dealing with violence are minimal, which makes it more difficult.
The fact that I know in the Oakland mess at least one of the OWS security people was pulled into an alley and severely beaten by the cops indicates to me that might not be uncommon, and given their actions and attitude, I don't think too many rely on them.
Added to that is the fact that in some places (Oakland included), the police KEPT resources from reaching the encampment; they wouldn't allow EMTs, fire or medical personnel to go into the camp when they were needed, which is why the camp set up their own medical station (with volunteer doctors and nurses and donated medical supplies).
A violent element will always seek out people with minimal police protection, so given the police are not helping and actually keeping help from being given, it's the perfect place for outsiders to come in and create violence. They know there will be no follow-throug once they leave the camp.
Additionally, violence gives TPTB a perfect excuse to break up the camp, so it's quite possible some of the police inaction (and hinderance) isn't motivated by a wish to use the excuse to go after the OWS campers.
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