LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Friday, October 7, 2011

The Downside To Occupy Wall Street Media Spotlight

ETA: This afternoon Eric Cantor (R-VA) says we must be very afraid of the growing number of mobs occupying Wall Street and this nation.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7383837n&tag=contentBody;housing

Personally, I'm concerned about the growing number of districts across the country cutting out their domestic violence teams from community services and police departments in order to save money.

Just thinking of the Hard Hat Riot down there back in the Vietnam era, and before that with the Labor movement. They've got the crazy tbagger cadres who would like nothing better than wade into these gatherings with guns and bludgeons, and I'm not talking about the cops -- a lot of the non-white shirt NYPD are emotional and intellectual supporters of the movement (yes, class, labor and management, etc., those terms we haven't heard in decades).

These are the people who glory in demonstrating their assholery for the entire world to witness, who will walk into a crowd and shoot Gabrielle Giffords (D), leaving her nearly dead, along with other, accumulated 'collateral damage,' who were killed outright. Look at the comments to articles about the Occupiers in the primary media: first it was superior sneering snark; now, as the movement spreads, they're spewing incoherent vitriolic hatred and threat to kill and maim.

As for the media ignoring the Occupiers in the first place, and only now paying attention, while still insisting the Occupiers don't have a clue about anything from organization to what they're protesting -- think about this: they picked private property close to the metaphorical and symbolic epi center of the corruption of the nation from which to launch their protests, Zuccoti Park. (The irony that this once public park used to be named Liberty Plaze does not escape.) Thus, as long as Chairman of the Board of Brookfield Real Estate (mayor bloomie's novia, she of let them eat cake how dare they, is a member of the board), says they can stay, they can. The city cannot evict them, though the NYPD and the mayor would like nothing better than to get them out of there.

This looks like planning to me. From the start they've said they planned to occupy the ground for two months -- which is also smart because in two months it will be really miserable there, particularly when January rolls around -- yes, I know this ground very well, in all seasons.

Yesterday WNYC received many calls from 'listeners' demanding that the occupiers be removed, all of whom are really big on the only sacred belief this nation holds, that of the sacredness of private property. "I don't care if it's private property and the owner says they can stay, beat those spoiled brats out of there!" Why it so infuriated that caller and others that the Occupiers are occupying private ground with permission, well, that never came through except that the caller hates them. For years, in fact, that's all that comes through to me, at least, from these people is that they are filled with hatred for everybody and everything, so they must really hate themselves. I wonder why. 

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