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Occupy Las Vegas Fremont Street Demonstration
On October 15, 2011 I participated in the Occupy Las Vegas Fremont Street protest march. I wanted to see and hear exactly what this “Occupy” movement was about. If you have never spent significant time inside an “Occupy” movement your views mean nothing. You’re simply buying into the spin, lies, Bloviating, and half truths which some of the Media and Politicians are happy to dish out. I also shot and edited the Video of this March which appears at the bottom of this post for those that need to see evidence of my findings.
It was a very well organized and safe march with two phone numbers prominently displayed in case you landed up in jail which never happened. The Police looked relaxed and often smiled. I would estimate about one thousand protesters. Las Vegas has some very restrictive protest March rules and these were fully coordinated between OLV and the Police. This was the second March without a single incident. In case your curios what my issues are, here is the sign which I carried that was created by Lars at Predator Signs & Graphics who did a great job:
The following are a number of Media and Political spins with my first hand observations below each one.
(1) The Occupy movement is just a bunch of college kids who like to smoke dope and pollute.
My Thoughts: You’re watching too much Fox and living with your head in the sand. The demographics which I observed and you have not were about one third college kids, one third Middle America (25-50) and one third seniors with gray hair.
(2) The movements have no real mission statement and all they want is to mooch off others.
My Thoughts: Please open your eyes and stop being manipulated. Visit http://www.occupylasvegas.org/ and read their mission statement which covers a broad spectrum of issue. All of which I observed via signs and speaking to participants. The movement has no political affiliation or secret funding. Think grass roots. At one of the meetings I observed someone soliciting $200 in donations because he had spent $300 for special vests which the OLV security team wears.
(3) This movement is really a Democratic controlled action to help our President get re-elected and it’s funded by George Soros
My Thoughts: Nothing could be further from the truth. Spend a few minutes at http://www.occupylasvegas.org/ and you will see that OLV has or will demonstrate at Republican and Democratic events and when the President comes to town next week they will also be demonstrating. The Soros money allegation is pure fiction. Show me current evidence to convince me across a broad spectrum of reliable sources. Bloviaters take note, just because a given person likes the movement does not mean their controlling or contributing to it. Those dots just don’t connect for me.
(4) They have no leadership and have a hidden agenda.
My Thoughts: You must be kidding. Get off your couch and attend the meeting during the week to see for yourself. It’s an unedited LiveSteam broadcast from the UNLV Student Union which you can watch in your Browser.
Talking to friends and spreading the word
I am an Independent and vote for the best candidate. For example, in the last election I voted for Heck and a few democrats. I’m pragmatic and would never toe the party line. I have three very specific metrics which will determine exactly who I will vote for in the next Presidential election. They are: the DJIA (stock market), the USA unemployment rate, and the Foreclosure statistics. If the numbers are on the board you get my vote. I have never been concerned with the color of a candidate’s skin, which party they belong to, and always fact check the Media with reliable third parties. The same cannot be said for some of my friends who I have talked to about the various “Occupy” movements.
I have one person who has been severely impacted. Lost all their reserve/investment, the lender played games during the loan modifications which resulted in Foreclosure, and if Social Security takes a hit it will be devastating. Yet this person calls the movements “Communist”, wants them to fail, and buys into the Fox lies and Glen Beck fantasy world. The stick your head in the sand combined with a real hate against “Blacks” and believing anything so long as our current president is not reelected holds no credibility with me. What a shame for this individual.
Other friends seem to relish in the idea that Media coverage in Vegas has been sparse and still choose to believe they have no mission statement and are secretly controlled by the Democrats. First, the Vegas movement is just 17 days old and they received extensive coverage in the print and TV Media. Including CNN my beloved Bloviaters! How about some research as I previously mentioned.
Some wish to Bloviate and brag about their kids and how great they are, yet they won’t get off the couch and insure the next generation has a fair shake at the American Dream. They even admit that the chances of home ownership and the general future of their kids are bleak to say the least. And yet they are so mirrored in hate and bigotry they sound stupid to my ears.
I truly wish it was a different story but that’s the sad reality of some of the folks I have spent time with. Others get it and understand. Finally, the “anti” all look stupid because they have short term memory loss. Let me refresh your brain since many lived during all of these events:
Remember the Anti War movement and how it impacted the USA? Remember the Civil Rights Movement and marches? And of course the Arab spring. All were sometimes confusing, lacked clear leadership, and without exception started by young kids in the street. All had dramatic and everlasting positive impact on the USA and the entire world. Call me a child of the 60’s if you wish but give me a break!
Am I predicting that the “Occupy” movements will be around for the next Presidential election? Nope but they will continue to be a major force in the future and we all owe a debt of gratitude to the “kids”. Special thanks and a great deal of admiration and respect to my good friend “The Chick Monster” who found the time, energy, and conviction to walk next to me diring the OLV protest March..
The Occupy Las Vegas Fremont Street March Video:
Cathy T. and myself have received a ton of Email and comments on this Post. Most were very supportive but a few missed the point of this Post or went off topic. Let’s try this:
Yes the Post is snarky, direct, and has a “mad” tone. I’ve been doing this for over a decade and that’s what gets your attention. It always generates a certain degree of controversy and implores our guests to read.
With respect to the three Bloviaters the Video shows: Please remember that I’m discussing their actions with respect to the “Occupy” movements and nothing else. Period. I actually watch ALL the Media outlets and that includes: Fox, MSNBC, CSPAN, Oberman, Vegas Week in Review, PBS, Charlie Rose, and others. Speaking in general terms about all their coverage on numerous issues, each outlet does make some valid points on occasions however I don’t believe any of them until I fact check. Some are better than others and Fox is the worst. Both Hanity and “The Queen” NEVER report and they are always Bloviating BUT unlike some of our guests, I still want to hear their lies.
The Occupy Las Vegas movement encourages “Unity through Diversity” and I saw signs with numerous issues. I do not agree with some of the issues the Protesters want BUT I am respectful of what they have to say. NO ONE in the OLV movement is going to tell you what you can say or what your sign says. Period! For example, if you wish to defeat Obama and carry a sign that says you hate him, that’s fine with the OLV movement and myself. HOWEVER, be prepared to argue and defend your position in a civil and respectful fashion. Use facts and third party reliable resources just like we do.
I encourage you to perform your own independent research, regardless of which Media outlet you like. Rather than being spoon fed with lies and spins by the Media.