Are we involved in the protests yet?

Nik,

While we at MWP support all legal and peaceful citizen protests, the only reason MWP officers are not invovled is that most of us are juggling career, family, MWP, etc and simply cannot blow off a few days to attend a protest like that.

But the MWP supports the Occupy folks! If they only had Modern Whig Philosophy in their "scabbards", they'd be so much more effective!

If there was a protest here in Buffalo, you know that the MWP ( me!) would buy 'em some sheet pizzas, with grease stained "Who are the Modern Whigs" pamphlets attached!

Yes I think it would be a good idea to mingle with these protests and hand out literature but I think the best solution would be to respond to the "call" of #Occupy by releasing a statement concerning the MWP's stance on the main issues, which seems to billionaires skipping out on a regular tax rate because they only make capital gains and the fact that the financial industry is really not much different or more safeguarded than before the 2008 meltdown.

We Whigs should be doing what Whigs do - putting up ideas for people to run with. I agree that NOW is a great time to capitalize (haha no pun intended) on our economic message, but like Gene said - all the officials are volunteers with full-time jobs/families. As the party continues to grow we will be bale to get more involved with things on the ground.

Yes, I know we are all busy- I actually have 2.5 jobs, 3 kids, a house to work on etc, etc,. I am going to go on weekends to show support and even though I wish I could go every day, its simply not feasable. But going when I can, donating to the cause, and showing people that there is an alternative party to look at, and then perhaps vote for, is very feasable, if we truly want it. If there were some people- whether jobless or retired, or for some reason had the time- they could be recruited and assist on a more regular basis. That is what we need to do. Maybe we aren't ready, maybe we are too busy with life, maybe we just can't find the time- if that is the case we are not following the our motto "If we do not act for our Nation, noone is going to do it for us".

Well, there were many ( 85+) gathered outside our building here in downtown Buffalo today. I went down in "full corporate dress", armed with 20 copies of my best ( imho) blog to date, Whigs Wright the Republic, and mingled. One of the organizers liked the essay so much she wanted to read it "on the air", but it never happened. Nevertheless, the copy is clearly the right "bullet" to use. Feel free to plagarize it and pass it along. It IS MWP property though (as is my soul). You'll find it up on the Facebook page under docs.

I've been registered as a Whig for about ten years now. As far as I know, I'm the only Whig in my county and at one time I was the only Whig registered in the State of California, according to the County Recorders office. Nice to know there's more of us out there.

Anyway, I was at the San Francisco protests. I'm not against handing out literature to these people, but we DON'T want to be associated with this movement. Like the Tea Partiers, I totally sympathize with the root of their discord (i.e. the Big 6 and the Fed ripping us off for Trillion$)but I agree with almost none of their 'solutions'. They've been co-opted by big-money Communist and Socialist groups and their solutions aren't rational, logical or practical, which is what Whiggery is all about.

Frankly, they're a bunch of smelly, dirty, stoned hippies and unpatriotic America-haters at that. I'm being nice, really. I don't blame them. moveon.org's buying them food. Some other group was passing out free smokes. When the word got out, every bum in 10 blocks was there dancing and beating drums.

I cannot stress enough that we DON'T want people to think OWS=Whig. Sympathize with their grievances, but not their solutions.

I am not implying we be buddies with EVERY OWS supporter, especially the "smelly, dirty, stoned hippies"...etc. Although some of them might be that way because our current government SUCKS!!!

I doubt if all of the OWS supporters are that way, and you know what, I am sure plenty of "hippies" and others were made fun of during the civil rights movement too. But they had the balls to take a stand and do something, whether it was because they had the time due to being unemployed, stoned or whatever. Are they the only ones that can initiate change? Are they the only ones that will get the current government in order or get a new party in place? If anyone from the MWP went to an OWS protest, there are others to hang with if you are not inclined to hang with the smelly ones-- union members, "normal" middle classers out of work, and students are just some of them. Sorry, but many of the rough ones are the ones desperate enough to really take a stand.

I just think that this kind of attitude basically says that we should just stand by and wait for our country to crumble because we don’t want to be “associated” with stinky people- and that is sad. If we cannot join others in a common cause because of their smell, appearance, or what others might think of them, we have no hope and might as well stay home and watch reality TV until our brains turn to mush and our country collapses. Just give up.

From what I have seen, OWS has not been co-opted yet, and I watch many different groups in many different cities. Most appear to mirror the population. It is rather like seeing a melting pot of ages, races, heritage, and experience. There is definitely a place for Whigs, for all who seek change.

One thing I see is people caring enough about our country to put themselves out and to become vulnerable to arrest for expressing themselves in a peaceful, non-violent, Constitutionally protected way.

There is alot of work in what they do, and it also requires alot of commitment, courage, caring, sincerity and strength to be a target of anyone who disapproves, and of those who are are determined to keep the status quo.

Surely there are plenty of people with agendas who want to co-opt OWS, and it is natural. Do people with good sense, tolerance, and solutions stay away because others they disagree with others trying to influence direction? Is it not better to have a voice than to sit back and let others propagate their message alone?

What can Whigs do? I don't recommend jumping in trying to sell something. However, I do recommend learning about the movement, the independent groups that make up OWS, how they work, what they talk about, and get a "lay of the land" via the internet Livestreams and websites, especially the group nearest you.

Consider going and spending some time with the group as an interested person. Listen, learn, and get into discussions where you can plant seeds about how you see things, suggestions of what can be done, what is effective. Then don't expect your suggestions to be taken up. Instead wait for the seeds to germinate in fertile minds until they become trees. Keep up the dialogue.

Whigs can be teachers, guides, and supporters of all who wish to change what ails us. It isn't easy because everyone has their own ideas. How many of us have not changed our minds in time through experience and learning? How many seeds have been planted in us, became trees and bore fruit?

Print up some business cards on your computer with the MWP website address to handout to people you talk to if it seems appropriate to the discussion.

If it is difficult to accept those who are a part of OWS consider this. If you were in an accident, injured and bleeding to death, would you reject help from someone who offended your sensitivities?

We are all injured in some way and in need of emergency care. We can help each other, help our nation, truly become "e pluribus unum".

The MWP is willing to take the time to build from the grassroots up. There is time to contribute to the future now, with OWS. The key is to be willing to not see the outcome now, to plant and trust. Making new friends is like networking, building, transferring good things. It is part of grassroots work, an investment.

If anyone wants to learn about OWS groups, Google Occupy[city name].

Warning: There are people whose intent it is to destroy OWS by posting inflammatory neonazi style and other comments, often referred to as "trolls". Ignore them! It is the only way to stay focused on what counts and not play into the hands of the "trolls". Some also show up at group locations to cause disruptions and to subvert.

I return from the trenches of OWS! I have some things to report and this information will be unbiased for you my friends!

Ok, So I made some pamphlets of information and logos from the MWP website and distributed them, spoke to people, got feedback and went on the livestream video setup that they have at the site (approximately 230pm Sunday 10/23/11) and it may or may not be searchable, but I know that you can go back and look at previous livestreams that they have done.

When I first went to Zuccotti Park I have to admit it seemed smaller than I thought. It is a small city block wide but seemed very narrow- right across from the WTC site. I was trying to guess how many people were there but it was hard to determine because there were people in tents and under tarps as well. If I were to guess I would say maybe 500? Then again, there were tourists constantly coming through the area too, so it was hard to tell who was there as a long term protester and who was "just visiting".

In any case, it was about what I thought- there were people protesting with their kids, people that looked like bums or hippies, people that had jobs, young people, older people, etc. The police were respectful and stayed around the perimeter and I saw no altercations at all. Initially I told my wife to watch her purse and I made sure things were secure so that I did not get pick-pocketed; not by protesters, but by others "hanging out" looking for opportunities. The truth is, the police being there made me feel secure and very quickly I was not even worried about any sort of trouble. If someone was brave enough to commit a crime when surrounded by police, good luck...

So at first I (we) checked things out, walked around, read signs, talked to a few people, witnessed several interviews taking place, and "dropped" some MWP info on tables and with other materials. I wasn't sure how to go about discussing our political party- I did not have a set up or big signs or anything, and I wondered if I really fit in doing that. Eventually I made my way to the livestream media area where there was a camera and a flat screen that showed people responding to speakers on a blog/forum. The host who was running the mic asked if I wanted to say a few words. I was a bit nervous but I introduced myself and my son (my wife was looking for a bathroom and pizza) and he asked why I was there.

I knew the OWS was not really interested in promotion of political candidates so I was not sure how the guy would react, but I told him I was a Modern Whig Party member from Baltimore and that I was up in New York to see what it was like at OWS and to see how things were going and to discuss with people what they thought was next. I said that OWS is great and all, but what happens next? How does OWS plan to make real change or create solutions or get results from all of this? I told the audience that voting for the same old parties will not cut it- nothing will change. I said that going to the ballot box is the only real way to make significant change in this country. I told them that they should look at the MWP, I gave the web address, and briefly told them of some of the party's beliefs.

The host then said "well yeah, a third party has always been an interesting concept but usually that takes votes away from the liberal party....”and has been frowned upon. I told him that people are more now than ever in the middle, neither to the right or to the left anymore and that this is exactly where the MWP is. I told him there is no point to all of this protesting if we do not take it to the next level and take all of this to the ballot box, to the HOUSE, but not to the republicrats that are running things now. I told them the two parties aren't even really two parties- they are one party dividing us with opposing views to gain control- they have been playing us for decades. I said “look at how Bush and Clinton were hugging each other when they were down in Haiti after the quake, look at where these politicians come from- they come from the same place! I said if you do all of this and then just go vote for a republicrat in 2012, where will that get you? No where! It will all be for nothing. They are not going to change. I said we need an alternative party that will make real change. People were nodding in agreement, and my son noticed responses on the livestream blog that were coming in and agreeing with my comments (I was too busy and nervous to notice them on the screen).

Another person wanted to debate (respectfully)- a young man from New Jersey said that the third party idea is interesting too, but what we really need is a "no party system". He spoke for a while with the host about how it might work. I interjected and said that was a nice idea but that it was a little extreme and unrealistic for that to happen in our politics at this point. I told him that the MWP was a party that was about as close as you could get to a no party system (compared to the others) as the party promotes state's rights, less federal governmental interference, and uses the idea of allowing freedom for its representatives to represent their own constituents as it suits the specific region/state. I also mentioned that the MWP focuses on common sense approaches to solve issues- not bickering and divisive tactics. People seemed to agree and liked what I said.

I am sure I said more or had more detail but I can’t remember all of it. After I found my wife and ate pizza I was all fired up and went back across the street and decided to talk to more people and show more literature I had from the website- and yes, the OWL! I asked a protester if I could put some of my pamphlets down on a tote he had beside his table where he was promoting an upcoming OWS march... He looked at my material briefly and said “oh, yeah sure- I like the Modern Whig Party” I was pleasantly surprised and laid some things out and waited. One older gentleman came up to me and whispered in my ear and said “you know they used to be Nazis”. I was caught off guard and my immediate reply was “that’s not what we are about; check our website “. A lady (who came from France 10 years ago) came up to me and we had a discussion abortion and the MWP beliefs etc. and she seemed interested. She noted our web address and said she would check it out. Others stopped by and said high and read some information.

Unfortunately I had to get going back to Baltimore at that point because I had to work Monday morning. I reluctantly left OWS but felt good that I had gotten to check things out for myself and speak a little on the subject of where do we go from here… It is important and I believe if things are not set up soon and we do not unite to get a real political party movement in place as a real contender, then change won’t be possible in 2012.
I have pictures from the visit and hope to have them available soon somehow, somewhere.

This is what I saw:
• Protests and signs against BOTH parties, not just republicans.
• Various types of people protesting- not just “bums or hippies”
• People of all ages were there, and they were voicing many concerns.
• Although there were many signs against various issues, the main concern seemed to be the about corporate greed and how corporations control our government- IN BOTH PARTIES-(which is why we need to step in).
• Some people were discussing 9/11 conspiracies probably because OWS is across the street from the WTC site.
• Several people were saying that they were not against capitalism, but were against this corporatacracy that runs our government. Some just seemed to be against capitalism in general.
• The movement was well organized and had a food/kitchen in the center, a library, and a media center w/ livestream video set up.
• It was peaceful and the police were respectful. The park is privately owned and the owners are allowing the protesters to stay and they are not breaking any laws.
• OWS has received approximately $500,000 to date (for NY) and has spent approximately $66,000 of that for food etc. (Seems like they could fund a few candidates if they needed to down the road?)

I plan to go up again at some point but I am also going to go to DC and Baltimore as well. Anybody with me yet?? Anybody want to get this party started? Anybody want change in THE HOUSE (Congress)??

Lets do it!! We need to get Evans and whoever else is in charge of the MWP to make a move!!! Officially endorse and support the OWS movement NOW!

Update- Keith Olbermann was on David Letterman the other night and they both support the movement- more and more people are supporting- lets jump on this NOW!!

Nik

Good work Nik!!! The local folks realy dug the "Wright the Republic" blog reprint. All the OccupyWS folks are potential Whigs!

The wait, Nik, is us at MWP ExComm protecting our brand, pure and simple. We'll be there for OWS folks when they tire of street protests and really want to get it on thru electoral participation. And we support them and all peaceful demonstrations fully. However, it wouldn't be proper for us to simply "throw the MWP hat in the ring", as we lose all control of the brand, and literally reliquish it to OWS. We are not control freaks, btw, just a select group of citizens who see what needs to be done very clearly, and its very unusual. That message needs to come from MWP and no one else.

MWP supports the efforts of OWS, but recongnizes that the only permanent change will happen from within the belly of the beast, and within the minds of the voters. The Kingdom of Heaven is Within!

In my opinion, if OWS is helping get "change" to be a much more acceptible concept to the quiet majority in the middle, then its all good. If they "live up to" their being pigeonholed by the groupthink of MSM as outlaw socialsits ( we hope not), it's bad.

So unless they want to change over to MWP rallies and redo their whole schtick, MWP does what it can without full on endorsement. In part, this is being respectful of their own identity and who they are, without trying to usurp them as all the corporate entities seem to be attempting, either as their "friend" or their "enemy".

We do at MWP recongize, however, that they are also part of us, as you show.

Thanks Gene, I appreciate it....

Are you saying that the MWP does not have the OWL or various logos etc. patented or that we do not own them? If so, that is a problem isn't it- especially since the MWP site has been up and running and it is an actual legitimate party?

I understand what you are saying regarding not "imposing" on the OWS movement, and that is exactly how I felt when I was there, but after getting a positive response and seeing that 70% of people want something else in a party, it just seemed to fit even more than ever.

That being said, I do not want to force feed the OWS organizers our MWP beliefs- even though they seem similar, however, what would be wrong with us getting more organized and having MWP members in the OWS cities and towns just go and spread the word that we, the Modern Whigs- support the OWS and when they are ready we will support even further the idea of running candidates in as many districts as possible for 2012.

And 2012 is coming fast, so the quicker we offer that support- without being overwhelming or hijacking their cause- the quicker we get in the spot light a little, do some YOUTUBE ads, and get picked up by mainstream media, and at the very least be in the minds of some and maybe many OWS supporters.

This is not a presidential run here- I am just talking the HOUSE, maybe the Senate too. If we can get a good number into the House atleast, that would be a good start. But we have to make an attempt. If we don't do it soon, we may lose our chance.

As far as being non violent- OWS has been totally non violent- it was the police in Oakland that just hurt an AMERICAN VETERAN the other night. Thats my next post...

Posted Oct. 26, 2011, 8:53 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

Late last night, Scott Olsen, a former Marine, two-time Iraq war veteran, and member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, sustained a skull fracture after being shot in the head with a police projectile while peacefully participating in an Occupy Oakland march. He remains unconscious in critical condition at Oakland's Highland Hospital.

Olsen was hit at close range. After demonstrators rush to Olsen's aid, an Oakland cop waits a few beats before lobbing a second tear-gas canister at the crowd. They are attending to Olsen when the canister explodes, sending smoke everywhere.

Press release from Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Our hearts and prayers go out to Scott and his family.

PLEASE SHARE THIS VIDEO AND TAKE ACTION!

Call Mayor Quan's office and demand that she investigate this incident and allow peaceful protests to continue: (510) 238-3141

WILL THIS GET THE VETERAN MWP MEMBERS GOING ON THIS OR WHAT!?!?!?!?

COME ON MAN!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been down to Occupy Denver 6 times since it began. My beef with the movement, at least here in Denver but from accounts by friends in Seattle and Austin as well, is that it's just too fractured and you have groups within the group fighting for voice on too wide a range of issues. At least in Denver, intelligent and pragmatic discussion is not only not wanted, it's booed. In the case of Denver, many of the protesters were breaking the law by using public parks as open restrooms, littering and not respecting public use laws under the guise that it was somehow an affront to their free speech to do otherwise.

For now, I'm out. The Wells Fargo protests of yesterday were grossly misinformed and while Wells is no saint, the protesters were trying to break into the physical building and were arguing for tenuous positions at best.

I support part of the original message of OWS which is
1) Getting corporate money out of politics
2) Reversal or legislation of Citizens United
3) Reform dangerous investment practices with money deposited in trust
4) Reinstating Glass-Stengal

I can't get behind the rampant social agenda nor can I support the "End the Fed" groups. Likewise the integration of environmental positions, especially those of the AGW type (which is still indefensible), just muddy the water. If OWS once again gains focus and will rebuff the overtures and inroads made by big business interestes, I'll be back to lend my voice. Until then, it's another Tea Party that has been co-opted by interests other than the original intention and the message is diluted and tainted.

I agree with much of the original goals, where the Occupy movement loses me is through the distortions of reality. I am sorry that Scott Olson was injured and I pray he makes a sound recovery, but you have members of Occupy Oakland admitting that some were throwing rocks and bottles at police.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHlHiNEZ1wA

Now by all accounts, Scott Olson was merely standing in front of the police barricade in silent protest. But when the police issue orders to vacate and someone starts throwing rocks and bottles at the police… that is the time to get out of dodge.

Also, there have been videos of the New York PD “losing it” against non-violent protesters for no reason. The videos show NYPD wildly swinging nightsticks at the non-violent protesters on October 8, 2011. Here is the video OWS uses to show the “Police State”…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpOMlDVaXzc&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google....

But here is some of the footage just before the “Police State” video, notice the countdown and then the attempt to break the police line and then the punch thrown at the officer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXOFPHEw0rQ

Throwing Rocks/Bottles, attempting to break police lines, this is not non-violent protest and which is why the Occupy Movements have lost my support.

All right then, I am officially giving up on trying to join the OWS movement with the MWP. I will still support the OWS, since they are actually doing something and fighting to save our country (and the World I guess)- and I will still argue the point that they need a political party to support them, or form one themselves so that they (we) can get some guidance and eventually have some real options for proper governance some day, obviously not by 2012 though.

It is too bad not enough MWP members want to take a chance, it’s too bad most want to judge OWS, put them in a negative light and consider them not worthy of support, and it’s too bad many members just want to sit around and wait for the country to collapse. And this party was formed by military veterans? Go figure.

Maybe I am "too extreme" for this party, or too fired up about the internal destruction that is taking place in America... I don't know, but either way you have to respect a movement that started not even three months ago based on suggestions from a small political group in Canada, and is now known worldwide and has far many more followers than the MWP that formed three years ago. And we are worried about OWS making the MWP look bad if we supported them? Weird....

All I can say before I permanently give up on this subject on this site is this-

If we cannot get behind a movement because it isn't EXACTLY what the Modern Whig Party deems appropriate, or because SOME people of the 1000's that are protesting are a little out of control and passionate (no deaths reported yet- the worst injuries have been caused by police), or because we want to be like FOX news and focus on miniscule things and not look at the big picture of what is really going on and what is needed for change, then that is very unfortunate.

We did not gain our independence in 1776 by sitting around and not fighting, we did not gain our civil rights by avoiding violence or following the norms, and we did not voice our concerns about bunk foreign wars (Vietnam) by making sure we did not throw a bottle or storm a barricade- we are Americans and we fight for our rights!! - or at least we used to...

We have the right to fight any enemies "foreign or domestic" and this time it happens to be domestic-maybe that is why so many are so relaxed about it- they can't see it happening. Corporations and members of Congress are destroying us from within and it is just a matter of time, and yes, the Federal Reserve is part of that- so supporting a private central bank is idiotic, un-Constitutional, and against what the founding fathers suggested, and for obvious reasons now.

Rome collapsed the same way we will- from the inside; poor governance, party division and monetary problems, not from a foreign invader- and Rome lasted 1000 years. We will be lucky to make it 250 based on some estimates. If anyone thinks it cannot happen to us, you’re kidding yourself and you are too sheltered- travel to other countries, looked at modern countries that have collapsed and read some history. Maybe because I have a degree in geography I just cannot relate to most members… I don't know.

It was nice chatting and getting minimal feedback from MWP members, but since plan A is pretty much a no go at this point- saving our country by joining a HUGE movement with a legitimate third party political supporter- then I am getting ready for plan B, save myself and my family and head for my land in WV when the crap hits the fan.

Good luck everyone!!

I have just registered at the site so I can "try the suit on" as I have been slogging through the impressive amount of information on the MWP site for about a week now. I have been for over 30 years formally identified as an Independent since I agreed with each of the two mainstream parties equally about 50% of the time. I have voted for the candidate and not the party for all those years. Only to happen upon your site via a long string of following links within links on political commentaries.

The MWP stand, its viewpoints on issues such as the OWS demonstrations have nearly convinced me to join the party. Probably much to the chagrin of NixWiggy, but I am slow to decide such weighty matters.

However, Mr. Morrato's comments have resonated. OWS has served an important role in the political debate in an important time, but as events involving hundreds and even thousands there are those that would step out of the bounds of respectful demonstration. When building a new party the organization must consider what alliances should be made.

To continue the discussion on the OWS topic I submit the following:

The latest tack of the public discourse concerning the Occupy Wall Street and related demonstrations continues to dance around the underlying source of the issue. As it has been described, the present situation is that a very small percentage of the population has more wealth then the rest of us can ever imagine possessing while struggling to provide the basics in life in the form of food and shelter. While there is gaining recognition that the demonstrators have changed the conversations occuring in the media and political campaigns, these conversations have been hung up on the notion of redistribution or a more equitable distribution of wealth. This notion prevents many from a rational debate since it labels some individuals as the "Haves" and others as the "Have Nots". This becomes emotional and distracting.

Currently, the debate includes the inequities of wealth distribution, the banks and industry bail-outs only serving those that received the bail-outs and the evidence that the only segment of our society that exhibits signs of prosperity these days are the purported one percent. While there is a common thread to all these facets of the debate the number of facets also becomes distracting.

The debate needs to be refocused on the root cause of the present situation. Namely Congress. I am not singling out the current Congress or Party of Majority in my statement. The present situation has taken decades to manifest and many have participated in bringing it to existence. Nearly every economist that is not serving a political agenda will state that for capitalism to succeed for the whole of society it must be counterbalanced by governance. That is Congress' part. And under current law (enacted by Congress) and interpretation of that law (by the Supreme Court) Congress is serving one segment of society to the detriment of all others. The core of the problem is where, under law, corporations are afforded the same recognition by Congress as each and every one of us. So, in essence, the people that make up the corporate entity (CEO's, the Board, Lobbyists) are being provided with double representation by their elected officials. There inlies the true inequity of the situation. Change the law or reinterpret the existing law and we, the people, can begin to once again be the elected official's only constituency. We, the people can begin to receive equal representation in the democratic process as set forth in the Constitution.

The inequity of the current distribution of wealth is only a symptom of what ails this republic and only by focusing on the root cause of the symptom can we treat the illness. Make Congress do what the Founding Fathers meant it to do by representing the people through legislation that serves the people. Now, think of how quickly the thousands that are demonstrating throughout our country could influence the debate and bring change to how Congress works if there were a focus on the root cause.

I look forward to further investigation of your party and this site. Thanks for the opportunity to participate and the hope that something better lies ahead for this country.

wakey wakey, eggs and bakey!!

Military Veterans Join the 99% on Wall Street
Posted Nov. 1, 2011, 2:27 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

Procession of veterans starts at 11:00amat Vietnam Veterans Plaza, 55 Water Street, New York, NY Will march to Liberty Square (Zuccotti Park)

Military veterans will walk in uniform to join the Occupy Wall Street protests this Wednesday (Nov. 2nd). As the 99% movement spreads across the United States, the presence of veterans at rallies, marches, and occupations is becoming increasingly visible. Veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and even World War II have participated in the movement, speaking out for the 99%, and raising the movement’s visibility in the process. Most recently, the unconscionable treatment of Marine veteran Scott Olsen in Oakland has drawn national attention to veterans’ participation in the Occupy Wall Street movement.

‘Veterans of the 99%’ hope to draw attention to the ways veterans have been impacted by the economic and social issues raised by Occupy Wall Street. They hope to help make veterans’ and service members’ participation in this movement more visible and deliberate.

On Wednesday morning starting at 11:00am, members of the New York City Chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War and other veterans will come together at Wall Street with other Veterans of the 99%. They will march in uniform from Vietnam Veterans Plaza to Liberty Square (Zuccotti Park)—the heart of the Occupy Wall Street movement—and hold a "people's mic" to discuss reasons why a growing number of veterans are supporting the 99% movement. They will tell their stories and talk about issues that are important to them as veterans, within the larger economic and democratic crises. These issues include the challenges of veterans re-entering civilian life after war and trauma and during economic recession, and looming cuts to veterans’ health care and VA services. They will talk about their outrage at the treatment of Marine veteran Scott Olsen last week in Oakland. And they will call on other veterans and service members to join the Veterans of the 99%.

Veterans who would like to participate should contact veteransofthe99gmail [dot] com

(TAKEN FROM OWS WEBSITE)

Well, "infiltrating" OWS ranks with Vets and Whigs is a good thing imho. It will help keep them on the right side of the law, i.e., civil obedience and respect for property, and therefore, imho, will bolster their support through the moderate mainstream of our citizens. Win. Win.

Nick, yes, the logo is indeed patented.

Occupy groups are somewhat different from each other here in Nevada. I'm in 3 somewhat, because I joined late and therefore I'm an outsider.

All 3 groups are not interested in any discusion unless it involves the money \ bank \ finance angle issues.

No occupy group will even consider discussing political topics. Well, topics I bring up. Topics I don't think anyone in the country - even MWP - will want to discuss. But I will throw them out anyway. I've left one post somewhere else, but for now I'll just put out the titles for Constitutional amendments and see if anyone takes a bite.

Proper and Just Representation
Perpetual Confirmation of the Constitution
National Capitols
Dissolution of Congress
House Terms and Limits
Senate Terms and Limits
Citizen Amendments
Citizen Acts and Bills

Well, a quarter went by ( 3 months), and now can we comment on the efficacy of OWS?

How are they making the country better? Any permanent change?

For the record, to the last post, MWP's main concern IS the nature of political representation. The new form of aprticipation we hope to foster is Constitutionally driven by nature, so it will BY DEFAULT reemphasize the unifying nature of that Document, ensuring, MWP feels, the healthy future of our Republic. We firmly endorse term limts and have actually drawn up an institutional structure at the candidate/representative level to make it very doable.

OWS, to me, deals in the politics of hate. Misguided, half truths, adding more hubris to the lexicon and no solutions. So far, Fail. It seems to be the customary new movement paradigm, so I cannot fault them directly. To shift paradigms, you have to start your movement that way. They didnt. They went with a knee jerk reaction, and I'll leave their potential efficacy up to others to comment on, but logically speaking.... it can't work in its present form.

Well we better move fast, before Obama makes it illegal to OCCUPY

http://open.salon.com/blog/watchingfrogsboil/2012/03/01/outlawing_occupy...