Daddy's Little Princess.

[Violet]

OCCUPY WALL STREET

.. just a brief update, since I started on this track.

.. the New York Times on line.. [I haven't gotten out to get the paper yet, but I've heard they haven't been covering this, except more recently on line].. but they are reporting on line that 700 demonstrators were arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge yesterday. Many said they were "tricked" by the police, who were allowing--even escorting them onto the bridge, only to set them up to be arrested for blocking the roadway.

.. there is some good footage of these crowds on the bridge, as well as some arrests, posted on youtube by a group called We Are Change. It's footage the Times has linked to as well. Oh, and the crowds started chanting: "The whole world is watching!".. [good to remind them coppers of that at times]

.. I have to say, I'm extremely pleased to see all this happening just now. It even adds a dimension to the story I'm writing, since there is just so much media manipulation, it's heartening to see young people seeing through all that. Apparently.. [this, according to listener sponsored radio].. a group of them are techies who built their own hardware and wrote their own programs in order to organize and run this whole thing, and so they are certainly not depending on the likes of Yahoo, one could say.

.. okay, gotta get back to work.

.. Leonard, my love.. a great big kiss.. X..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU-RuR-qO4Y
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x xxx.. xx x.. xxx x..

[Violet]

.. well, my beloved.. I've been burning the All Day oil here today.. and now I'm just returning to the part I'm most fearful of doing. [writing wise, I mean] It's a bit torturous, but it's coming along.

[sigh]

OCCUPY WALL STREET

.. I thought I'd mention [folks] that the mass arrest on the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday was the largest mass arrest in the history of this country. So, already this thing is seeming historic. Of course, I do realize protests had been happening over there in britland this year, as well.. and while I haven't yet looked into the specifics of what happened there, given my interest in the synthetic dimension of such things, I'm pretty sure it amounts to a bit more than just a bunch of looters setting fire to stuff. [pretty sure] [although I DO believe FOXWOOD might have done some of that looting] [oh, and possibly b.b.] [wouldn't put it past b.b.]

As for here, the Sunday edition of the New York Times did cover the mass arrests yesterday, although it didn't make the front page, or even the front section. [since, you know, historically significant stuff never really moves those blokes at the Times, for some reason] [not sure why] And, as I don't watch t.v. all that much, I can't comment on television coverage here, but I imagine the major networks are having to grapple with this thing at this point. Oh, and finally our public radio station here felt moved to have to say something, although they've been silent 'til now. [they take their cue from the Times, it seems] Our mayor, meanwhile, shows no signs of solidarity with the protestors--quite the opposite, in fact. But then he is VERY MUCH the 1%. [!]

.. moving on..

.. so, Leonard, my love.. I have to say I'm missing you pretty badly. Gosh, I spend one day away, and I feel.. well, I won't even say.

.. so, I kiss you, ever so sweetly.. x.. (my love).. and.. Oh, I did get in a bike ride--was it.. oh, I think it was Saturday--when I actually saw some SUN. [just some, I said] [between the clouds, as it were] [I mean, let's not get carried away or anything] Of course, today it was cloudy again, and friggin' freezing in here. And I've been wearing one of those head bands--the kind you wear outside, I mean, that goes over your ears.. only INSIDE. I'm wearing an outdoor hat inside, in other words. [??] And by the time I got up the courage to go for a friggin' freezing bike ride, I realized there wouldn't be enough daylight, since the clouded-over sun is setting so early now.. so.. I'm afraid, no lake today, my love.. no lovely forested hills and vales.. no annoying property names, either.

Oh, actually.. here's one that's been annoying me for a while now:

The Dam Moores

.. I mean, bad enough if people think that of you, but for you to announce it to the world, I mean

oh, you'd need to add an 'n' for that, wouldn't you?

[never mind]

[thought I had them there for a minute]

[I know, my love, I'm being silly. But, the truth is, I'm tired. I've been working through some messy stuff with the writing--oh, and now that I realize I grind my teeth at night, I'm also realizing I'm not getting the most sensational sleep lately either.. so.. just thought I'd mention] [I'm looking for a hug, I guess] [and anything else you might care to add to that]

.. actually, here's another one:

Nobody's Inn

.. this one I sort of like, since it's the sign we might put on the outside of our motel room door when we go to our Idle Hour Inn.. [if you recall].. [just to keep this theme going].. [or, no, that might mean the maid might actually Come Inn].. [given Nobody's Inn, I mean].. [not a good idea, then].. [the sign, I mean.. not the Inn] [the Inn is fine, in other words] [the Inn is wonderful, in fact] [and warm.. and cozy.. and--if we remember to remove that sign from the door, that is--I'd have you all to myself] [actually, that makes me almost want to faint, at this point] [I mean, I'm afraid I need you pretty bad, my love].. [my darling].. [my angel]

.. alright, well.. I guess I need to call it a day. Oh, it's raining now, by the way. Raining. raining. R A I N I N G. rAiNiNg.

.. alright, my love.. one more tender little kiss.. x.. (and yes, I miss you).. (terribly)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRo129k5 ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x x.. xx x x.. xx x x..

[Cate]

Hi Violet - I've seen a few clips from the bridge thing on Saturday and heard an interview in which a woman said, what you said above, that she felt the police where escorting her onto the bridge ... protecting the protesters from traffic and then they trapped them. Very strange tactic.
CBC radio had an interview to day with a union rep. (I can't remember what they where called) but he was saying that the union would be officially supporting the protesters and that the bus drivers no longer wished to be in a position where they were forced to drive the arrested protesters - what a terrible position for a citizen to placed in especially if they are in fundamental agreement with those who have arrested.

It's interesting and exciting times - it gives me a feeling of hope to see such passionate people (especially the youth)

[Violet]

OCCUPY WALL STREET

.. yes, Cate.. these are very interesting times. And, along with the individuals who organized this whole thing.. [I've yet to read a blow by blow history as yet].. there are a few groups now involved [as per O.W.S.'s website]:

AFL-CIO (AFSCME)
United NY
Strong Economy for All Coalition
Working Families Party
TWU Local 100
SEIU 1199
CWA 1109
RWDSU
Communications Workers of America
CWA Local 1180
United Auto Workers
United Federation of Teachers
Professional Staff Congress - CUNY
National Nurses United
Writers Guild East

And:

VOCAL-NY
Community Voices Heard
Alliance for Quality Education
New York Communities for Change
Coalition for the Homeless
Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP)
The Job Party
NYC Coalition for Educational Justice
The Mirabal Sisters Cultural and Community Center
The New Deal for New York Campaign
National People's Action
ALIGN
Human Services Council
Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State
Citizen Action of NY
MoveOn.org
Common Cause NY
New Bottom Line
350.org
Tenants & Neighbors
Democracy for NYC
Resource Generation
Tenants PAC
Teachers Unite

.. I thought I'd made note, that earlier on this thread I was ruminating.. [this, from one of my "Stripping the News" segments, p. 96--from this past June]:

I'd add that it's not like the Man has this all figured out either. He'll try something, and if the public reacts poorly--takes to the streets, let's say.. [which doesn't happen too often in this country, at this point]--then he realizes that we weren't quite ready for what he was laying on us. We weren't quite "processed" enough, since we still have it in us to in some meaningful way BALK at what he's up to. But, I mean, we're right now watching our commonwealth get systematically dismantled right in front of our eyes, and STILL we're not taking to the streets en masse in this country [and elsewhere].. so.. I guess the Man sort of knows what he's doing [seems like]. We're just gonna "watch" this thing happen 'til we're all living on the streets [apparently].. so, again, seems like the Man has done a good job in rendering us all rather numb, at the very least.

.. moving on..

.. well, Leonard.. my love.. I've been reading some of my Strip material.. [which is how I came upon what I just quoted above].. as that's what I'm working with right now. This aspect is difficult--I mean, choosing those choice pieces of information that tell a story. It's hard sometimes finding just the right details. Invariably the thing swells, and then I have to cut it down.. and

Anyway, it's been tough. I know I'll get through it, but I wish it would come easier--and faster.

[sigh]

.. oh, there was some sun today between all the clouds, and so I went for my bike ride early, so to catch it. The sun, I mean. But it was lovely to see the lake glistening in the sunlight again. Oh, and there's supposed to be sun all this week and into next, I think.. I am SO relieved.

.. as to property names.. well, I think I'd be remiss in my reportage if I didn't make a correction.

instead of:

THE DAM MOORES

it seems it's:

THE DAM MORSES

.. now, I don't know if this makes this family more damnable or not, but I at least have it spelled correctly. [why they'd even allow such a family to seek residence at this lake to begin with raises a few eyebrows, I'd say]

.. oh, another one that always bugs me:

SERENITY NOW

[I mean, APOCALYPSE NOW REDUX is insult enough, I think, without removing ALL its edge] [my god]

.. anyway, I wish there were another "Inn" name I could tell you about, my love, but I'm not sure there are any more. [my angel] Still, I think that between Nobody's Inn, and Three Minute Inn, and Idle Hour Inn.. we have plenty of Inns we might make good use of.. so..

.. oh, I never did venture to come up with a name for our little lake house. Actually, I wanted to see what my working title for the story I'm writing might be like as a property name. Let's see now:

THAT PART OF HELL CALLED PARADISE

.. it's a bit long. Also: would the community complain that we were inferring they in some manner constituted "hell"??.. [we mightn't be too popular, I'm thinking, with a property name like that] [actually, on that basis alone I think we should consider it]

.. alright, my angel.. it's time for my tired, but lovely little kiss to you.. x.. (sweet dreams)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ThRVUcmSa0
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx xx x x.. xx x.. xxx..

[Cate]

vary varied, lots of unions!

.. I thought I'd made note, that earlier on this thread I was ruminating.. [this, from one of my "Stripping the News" segments, p. 96--from this past June]:

I'd add that it's not like the Man has this all figured out either. He'll try something, and if the public reacts poorly--takes to the streets, let's say.. [which doesn't happen too often in this country, at this point]--then he realizes that we weren't quite ready for what he was laying on us. We weren't quite "processed" enough, since we still have it in us to in some meaningful way BALK at what he's up to. But, I mean, we're right now watching our commonwealth get systematically dismantled right in front of our eyes, and STILL we're not taking to the streets en masse in this country [and elsewhere].. so.. I guess the Man sort of knows what he's doing [seems like]. We're just gonna "watch" this thing happen 'til we're all living on the streets [apparently].. so, again, seems like the Man has done a good job in rendering us all rather numb, at the very least.

last intrusion on this and I'll let you get back to the strip (that sounds a bit naughty doesn't it?)

last night on the after news, news show, they played this george carlin clip which fits well with what you said above
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8t2RCVb ... r_embedded#!

[lightning]

The protesters who were arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge have filed a class action suit against the city, arguing entrapment. From everything I have heard ( I was there the day before but not on the bridge), they have an open and shut case. The police led them on to the roadway, then blocked the march and arrested 700 people for being in the roadway. So, the charges will be dismissed and the taxpayers will foot the bill for the damages. The demonstrators who were arrested feel proud of the arrest. Nobody was scared away.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/05/nyreg ... -suit.html

As for the cop who used pepper spray, he became the subject of a hilarious satire:

http://gawker.com/5845321/jon-stewart-t ... raying-cop

[Violet]

OCCUPY WALL STREET

.. hi Cate.. hi Lightning. Cate, it was good to see that Carlin bit. I'm a real fan, and wish he were still with us. He really cuts through the crap, doesn't he?

.. Lighting, I'm glad this mass arrest is hopefully backfiring. Today I saw on the OWS site that the police are beating protesters with batons, and are back to pepper spraying again. The footage looks pretty nasty, so it seems they are keeping with the same tactics. There were twenty more arrests, as well.

.. well, I guess I feel I'm taking this all in, and don't feel up to commenting further just yet.


.. Leonard, my love.. I'm a bit on edge, though at least it was a beautiful fall day here today. Very cool, but sunny. I guess I love the sun more than I ever realized--now that's it's being withheld from me so regularly.

.. anyway, I'm working hard, and hope that tomorrow whatever I did today will look good to me. I think most of it should.

.. well, I'm thinking about you, wondering how you are.. I hope all is well.. and..

.. oh, I didn't even go on my bike ride, given I worked 'til it was too late--I was sure to lose the daylight if I went. But I guess I should take advantage of the weather this week, since I'm sure that blasted rain will return soon enough. [it feels to be some Orwellian thing or something] [they decided to take the sun away, while they were at it]

.. anyway, I send you just this sad little kiss.. x.. (oh, and I miss you)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8o4os6Um6g
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx xx x x.. xx x x.. xx x..

[Violet]

.. oh, happy birthday, baby bond!.. .. you're forty-eight months, I think it is. Well done (!)

with much love, and affection,

Your Boss, M. xx x

[lightning]

And remember that the citizen whose forum this is earned $9,000,000 in one year and I don't see him occupying Wall Street or his broker either.

[Violet]

OCCUPY WALL STREET

.. hmm.. I think you might have to qualify that a bit. First off, I don't think most people in this country think that earning [in Leonard's case, well deserved] ducats is the issue. [and if you compare that amount to earnings throughout the rest of the music industry, I think you'd see he's not all that high up on the totem pole, as it were] [later note: actually, I took a wild stab at that assessment, but just looked it up, and saw that I was right].. But, no, it's the criminality of how the system is rigged that is now getting the notice it deserves.

This is an issue too complex for me to properly grapple with here and now, nor do I possess all the facts. However, I did just hear a very interesting talk by an economist who noted how in the hundred years from the 1870's to the 1970's, the "real" wage in this country--that is, dollars earned, and able to be used to, well, buy stuff, let's say--went up, year by year, decade by decade. This he said was due to a shortage of labor in this country, and so, the Man, as it were, HAD to pay up. Didn't have a choice. Needed the labor. This compared to the rest of the world, where this was NOT happening. [thus, the influx of immigrants during this time period, who saw they could do much better here than what was being offered them back home]

.. but THEN.. came.. the Mighty Computer. And many many jobs got wiped out, starting in the 70's, due to that. And so, labor was no longer this valuable commodity.. and now we see the end result [later note: I see I didn't even get to the "globalization" aspect of all this] [just thought I'd mention]:

1. Suddenly, the Man sees he's got ENORMOUS profits--largely due to the fact that the REAL wage in this country is remaining flat. [oh, and he's not moved by principles such as "fairness," etc., to increase the real wage] [by the way] [later note: I'd add that the REAL WAGE in this country TODAY, is what it was back in 1978][!!!] [this economist also noted how Americans now work MORE HOURS, and are MORE PRODUCTIVE than workers in any other country WORLD WIDE] [those Americans that have jobs, that is];

2. CEO's, etc., go from a 40 to 1 ratio as to their salary to that of the average worker in the company.. to a whopping 400 to 1 ratio;

3. oh, and now new areas of finance are spawned, due to this unprecedented amount of dollars at the top. This economist mentioned especially this little thing [we now all know about] known as "hedge funds." Oh--and there came to be this new idea--one which really helped us get into the mess we are in now: investing in debt. [what a racket!].. Oh, yeah: we've, of course, also become this huge debtor nation, when this had never been the case before.. and yeah, the Man became intent on having the rest of the world invest in OUR debt. Oh, and of course you need insurance for such investments, and [since insurance companies cannot be trusted] places like Moody's to--well, to lie, and give such risky investments a good rating.. and on.. and on. [oh, there's all that sinister crap related to the deregulation of the banking system, which has allowed all this stuff to go down.. oh, related to the subprime mortgage scam, and credit default swaps, etc.] [I'd have to look this all up again, as it's been a while, but, suffice to say, it is HORRENDOUS what's gone on]

.. anyway, it gets more and more involved, but it's really a lot of fancy farcical frosting on top of a big, fat, rotten cake.. So: here we are now. No longer able to even nominally pay for all that debt. And all Uncle Sam could do at this point was to bail out the banks--let alone the other financial institutions--but the banks, so that they can still even FUNCTION as banks, and.. you know, let us take out our paltry few dollars as we need them, and stuff.

.. oh, and now, after the bailout, Uncle Sam goes to the Federal Reserve and borrows another trillion dollars or so, thinking to lend it to the banks so that they would now LEND this to--well, to us.. or the business sector, let's say.. only the banks say--NO WAY. We're not going to lend out any more dollars to a nation that's gone bust [!!].. oh, yeah, they called it "irresponsible".. [how's THAT for a friggin' laugh????].. but, at the same time: they have a point there. I mean, the country's broke. Oh, and so this trillion dollars or so is just SITTING THERE NOW--untouchable [??????????????]

.. BUT.. I do think that maybe the folks out protesting right now.. [and I'm considering my own options concerning that, since I'm no longer in the area].. but I think one thing we might ask Uncle Sam to do is to INVEST THAT TRILLION DOLLARS OR SO IN THIS COUNTRY'S GODDAMN CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE: you know, roads, the electrical grid, bridges, tunnels. Yes, it's time to resort to ye' ol' New Deal approach, and create TONS of jobs, and REALLY get the economy moving on REAL terms. Not fluffy fake credit-default farcical terms.

.. so.. that's what I've just begun to mull over. Need to check my p's and q's here.. but generally speaking, that's what I've started thinking about--when I'm not out trying to save the word with Agent Longing and Violet, that is.. [whose approach is a bit more, uh, "layered" than that].

.. only.. mefears that one of the guys who started the journal--the Occupied Wall Street Journal [don't you know]--well, I just saw one, brief youtube take on him, and it seems he's waxing poetic on Brecht and Communism 'n such, so excuse me if I'm just a bit skeptical as to just how all of this is going to cohere. Don't get me wrong, I would love to chat with him about Brecht 'n all that cultural/historical/ideological stuff, but I think this situation calls for some on the ground pragmatism, and.. oh, also: I don't think we should throw the baby out with the bath water. Wages increased for one hundred years here under capitalism, after all. Besides, I do think we should be fearful of complete overhauls. Very fearful.

[Violet]

OCCUPY WALL STREET

.. okay.. I really didn't want to "dive in" like that in that last post, since I know I left out tons and tons of stuff, and maybe didn't really lay out very well the exact hideous nature of the downright fraud and malfeasance involved.. [in part because I need to re-visit all that stuff].. but.. well.. it's a beginning, at least.

Actually, as this Occupy Wall Street initiative is slated to continue indefinitely, I'm thinking of putting together one of my favorite things: A LIST. [after doing some homework, that is] But a list.. possibly to be read at one of those General Assemblies they have. I mean, thanks to all the practice I've had on this thread in particular, I feel I am at least pretty good at lists.. so.. I guess I'll see. [oh, actually, not a list like the one above--something a bit punchier than that, I think]

[moving on]

.. Leonard, my love.. all is moving forward, and I feel more determined than ever to get through what I'm writing, even though it remains tricky stuff to write about.

.. I DID get to our lake today, and it was lovely as ever, thanks to, well.. the sun.. [needed to say that quietly, lest it get taken away again]

.. oh, it's Gotham tomorrow, but I'll be bringing the writing, so..

.. anyway, you're always on my mind, and.. well, I'm trying to see that as a sweet thing, and not a sad thing..

.. my tender little kiss to you.. x.. (my love).. (and yes, I'm missing you).. (very much)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BIlJRa- ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x xxx x.. xx x x.. xx xx..

[Violet]

.. Leonard, my love.. I promised I wouldn't forget Yom Kippur, so here I am to wish you well tonight. [oh, and the same to all others here observing]

.. the city was rather beautiful today, all dressed up and dazzling in the crisp fall light.. and I spent some time in Central Park, actually, working on the writing. I feel hopeful, actually, as I sense my psyche is beginning to get impressions as to where certain aspects of this are heading. It still feels difficult, but I'm glad I'm getting this deeper sense of it. It keeps me striving onward.

.. you know, I haven't been listening to your music lately, and yet, there it was today.. coming up from the depths of me for some reason. First we take Manhattan should no doubt be sung downtown right now, in any event.. but I'm not sure that's even why it emerged. Actually, I don't know why it came up, but it did.

.. you know, everything is changed now with you. You used to be this artist I loved, and admired, and.. only now you are.. well those things, yes.. but.. you're the person I come to to try to say what's on my mind. You're the person I dream about sometimes. I guess what's changed is that you're this person now.. I don't know how else to put it.

.. well, my beloved.. whatever it is you've become to me, I hold you dear and close.

.. this song has special significance for me, and it's my gift to you tonight.

.. my love and my heart to you.. x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w09mDTbQoIU
FULL SCREEN..

In this heart lies for you
A lark born only for you
Who sings only to you
My love
My love
My love

I am waiting for you
For only to adore you
My heart is for you
My love
My love
My love

This is my grief for you
For only the loss of you
The hurting of you
My love
My love
My love

There are rays on the weather
Soon these tears will have cried
All loneliness have died
My love
My love
My love

I will have you with me
In my arms only
For you are only
My love
My love
My love

[Violet]

.. Leonard, my love.. I guess I always miss you.

.. it was the most beautiful fall day today, and to step out on the little porch and feel the sun beating down--but still in the cool fall air--seemed all but heaven. Our lake was equally heavenly, with that sparkling glistening refracting of light.. and.. well, I'm relishing these days knowing they can't possibly last. Still, I spent a good part of the day inside, writing more, and.. well, maybe now I finally have the final shape of this next section, at least. It's just been so hard to get into it what I'm trying to fit in there. And even as it's been terribly frustrating, it just makes me want to work harder.. and so it seems that, along with Violet and Agent Longing, I too am on a mission, of sorts.

.. oh, last night, before I went to sleep, I opened your Book of Mercy to the page where I left off--where the dried green reed was placed. I only read one page, a number of times.. and I thought about it a while. I feel both nourished by these pages, and at the same time awed by them [and you].. feeling I'm fairly clueless as to where this writing comes from. It is its own, it seems. And in that I feel humbled by it too.

.. well.. I know this is a time of atonement, and I have thought about that. I am fairly self critical as it is, and so, it's to look at things squarely without being too harsh with myself, which isn't terribly easy for me. I do feel this time to be significant somehow, and even a kind of trial almost, as I think I've said before. If it is a trial, it's that I feel so blind somehow.. [I think I've said that before, too].. but it's that I feel I can only keep focused on what I'm doing, and after that--actually, I can't even think about it. I guess that's why it's important I finish writing this thing, so that I can finally look up, and look around me.

.. of course, I WANTED to be done by the end of September--and that was my deadline for the whole thing (!).. (oy)

.. meanwhile..

OCCUPY WALL STREET

.. actually, a friend of mine was down there at Liberty Square this week, and called it "infectious."

Here's the latest, posted on the ows site:

ows is growing. We will be in a thousand cities in this country by the end of the month - hundreds of cities in other countries. We will see General Assemblies on six continents.

Liberty Square has grown exponentially over the last three weeks. It is time to form a second General Assembly in Manhattan. We expect more to follow.

On October eighth at three in the afternoon a General Assembly will convene in Washington Square Park. At the same time Anti-Flag will play an acoustic set in Liberty Square in solidarity with our movement's expansion.

We are growing. Block by block – city by city. We will see change in this country, in this world. It will happen sooner than you can imagine.

[end quote]

.. anyway.. (my love).. I guess I wish things were a bit easier feeling-wise for me, but I guess that's not possible at present. [I keep forgetting, I need to try that breathing exercise thing, to maybe ensure I don't grind my teeth at night, although--how does one even KNOW if one is doing that??].. [outside of going to the dentist, I mean].. [I honestly don't know]

.. alright, my beloved.. all will be well.. just as I send you everything inside this little kiss.. x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeAxN27N ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x.. xx x.. xx xx..

later edit: came back here today, and tweaked two spots, just for clarity. [and because I do that sometimes]

[lightning]

Here's a link to video I shot at Occupy Wall Street, Day 14, a peaceful day before the Brooklyn Bridge bust. Close to 5,000 hits as of tonight. There are two videos, the description contains a link to a longer version with speakers and discussion. Would be happy to have people from this forum join the lively discussion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaihNYwXTeE

[Violet]

OCCUPY WALL STREET

Thanks, Lightning. I heard a good deal of what the woman was saying in your video--with her black "Greed Kills" T-shirt. I think in starting something where there were no clear goals wasn't a bad idea. Still, I wonder now--once again, about it all cohering into something that can serve the average citizen. A cacophony of disparate voices is not going to do that.

I saw that Naomi Klein was going to be there this past week.. [whose book The Shock Doctrine I strongly recommend].. I've just watched this interview with her at Liberty Plaza. I like her since she's terribly grounded, pragmatic, well informed, and really does sound like the voice of reason. Her last point is a good one--as to the protestors having--or actually, not having a list of demands [at this point]. In this quote I'll back up a bit to include her take on what's needed just now [but I do recommend watching all of this short, concise interview, as well]:

"I think we're talking about building another kind of economy, fundamentally. It isn't just an economic crisis, we're also talking about a deep deep ecological crisis. And that ecological crisis has us on a deadline. We need to get off fossil fuels in a big way by the end of the decade. So, we're talking about profound shifts.. I think we need to be moving away from a growth based economy.. so we're talking about really really fundamental stuff.. and that's why I don't buy the idea that the protestors should have a media friendly list of demands about bank regulations, because this movement doesn't know what it can demand yet. If it is big enough, it can make big demands.. so why not wait and find out how powerful you can become before restricting yourself to reformist demands?"

[Naomi Klein, Liberty Plaza, Oct. 6, 2011, for Occupy Wall Street]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOX3VEYI72c
FULL SCREEN..