OWS U.S. Marine Injured by police in Oakland- It is time to wake up MWP!!! It is time to support the movement!!!!

It is truly tragic what has happened in Oakland. The MWP Executive Committee has been looking into the Occupy events their goals, actions and those involved. We have been doing this for a while as for us to have a kneejerk repsonse would be foolish and we are in the process of gathering thoughts and ideas from Whig members.

Some Whig members have already participated in some Occupy events and we do not discourage any members from doing so because we do not regulate what other groups our members belong to as long as the group does not advocate any violent action or violent overthrow agains Americans or the U.S. government.

The Occupy movement is not going anywhere and neither are the Whigs so there is no need to rush because momementum is building...not for Occupy not for Tea Party....but a movement, a feeling, a deepened knowing that we are not getting the government we deserve and we are in danger of loosing an America where each indidvidual's American dream can come true, whatever it may be.

Whigs are working to help Americans stand up and act for the betterment of American government to better and properly serve the American people. Not be any bigger than it should to act decisively and constitutionally for all Americans not just the 99 percent or the 1 percent but for all.

Mr. Evans- it is nice to hear back from you!

You do have a point about the MWP not having a kneejerk response to the Veteran getting injured, or to the OWS movement in general- no one should overreact. However, OWS is almost two months old and things were already building up well before that point whether we are talking about the Wisconsin protests, the unemployment rate, Bank bailouts in 2008, the affects of the Middle East/Arab Spring etc.-The danger of losing America and the poor governing is nothing new....

We are also heading into an election year very quickly- we are actually already there- and that is why I feel time is of the essence. You say that the Occupy Movement is not going anywhere, and I am not sure how you know that. The Oakland Police Department is trying to make it go away, and so are other law enforcement agencies in various towns and cities, not to mention some mainstream news media that put the movement down for not having a clear message etc.

I hope you are right and the movement stays strong enough to "not go anywhere", but if OWS needs support and guidance now so that the message is not manipulated, lost or doesn't totally disappear at some point, why can't we give support now or near the beginning of this? Why not work with the movement officially as a party- not independently and alone? And why can't we do this as soon as possible since these common goals, beliefs, and concerns about the need to "act for the betterment of American government to better and properly serve the American people" are held by all of us- Americans, OWS, and the MWP right now?

I am glad to hear that the MWP Executive Committee has been looking into the Occupy Movement seriously and you know a lot more than I do with what is going on behind the scenes. I just hope we don't wait for too long because this could be a good opportunity for us and the country as a whole.

I appreciate your time,
Thank you,

Nik Swanton
Baltimore

I agree with the basic emotions of OWS. However my main problem with the movement is that they have no unified cause. Being upset at bankers for crooked practices and our government for the corporate welfare they handed out is all well and good, and the issue needed to be raised. But I'm suspicious of how many of the protesters seem to be more interested into turning the OWS movement into a '60s Vietnam war protest re-enactment than properly dealing with the issue. I think the Whigs should back the movement and propose our platform as a viable solution to the problems our country faces, and see if we are listened to or not.

I have had several dealings with the OWS movement. I think caution should be used and not take a knee jerk reaction. In my experience with this group there are issues that need to be addressed however there are groups that are endorsing them that we should distance our selfs from those groups. The NAZI party of America is just one of these groups endorsing them. I could not tell the difference of the people with real problems from the people who were trying to cause problems so instead of getting involved I just speak my mind and if those in the movement what to join me fine if not then so be it. I support Vets and the solders however I am still confused on what really happened. The cops say OWS started trowing stuff at them and breaking stuff and OWS claims they were attacked.

You can not have peace if all you want is to fight. Groups that break the law should be dealt with not given a free reign to destroy personal property and attack law enforcement officers. MWP should in all terms concentrate on the 2012 election and let the OWS people either join them and their message or other independents. I don't know if all caps still means you are yelling but it does seam that way to me. Perhaps Nik you should not put everything in all caps next time and I understand your anger. We are all tired of the same problems and Washington ignoring them.

If "we" are all tired of the same problems, why are "we", and I mean the MWP, not doing anything about it but then we judge the OWS movement who is doing something about it?? Doesn't make sense. And who cares if Nazi Party people, or KKK or Black Panthers or Hippies, or who ever supports OWS- WHO CARES!! That does not mean that the MWP supports those groups... We can easily put out a disclaimer saying that we do not identify with THEM but do identify with the movement in general and the fact that we need change in this government and the country.

CAPS MEANS IM PASSIONATE ABOUT CHANGING OUR GOVERNMENT- NOT YELLING :)

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)

I do sympathize with OWS in that I do believe that money and politics don't mix. I also sympathize with the notion of income inequality - no CEO is worth 1000x more than the average American worker. There's just no way to justify that. And, the same goes for celebrities and sports figures. I find it ironic - and a bit sad - that the highest paid CEO this year was Philippe P. Dauman, CEO of Viacom with compensation totaling almost $85 million and a 17 year old singing star named Justin Bieber made .... $85 million last year, too. What do these two gentlemen have in common? Not much except neither is worth that much, imo.

That said, I can't support OWS. The plain and simple fact is they break laws. Not just the so-called "fringe" elements - thieves, homeless, etc. But, also the core members who invade public parks without a permit and remain there despite repeated requests by the authorities to leave.

Moreover and on the one hand, they speciously claim that those "fringe elements" that are using illegal drugs, raping and molesting women and girls, assaulting police officers and killing each other aren't part of the OWS movement. But, in the same breath they claim to speak for the 99% of Americans who remain economically disadvantaged. Well, I have news, those "fringe elements" ARE part of that 99%.

I'm sorry but two wrongs don't make a right.

I'm happy to consider and re-evalute the market value of the work of people like Philippe P. Dauman and Justin Beiber. I'm happy to do what I can to encourage - even force - them and those that pay their salaries to reduce income equality to a more reasonable level. Boycotts, referendums, even legal protests are all viable options.

But, I will not side with an entity that freely encourages or enables criminal activity. Certainly not to the extent that OWS has.

-David Kaplan

Mr. Kaplan-

"What do these two gentlemen have in common? Not much except neither is worth that much"...well, they only have $$ in common...

Its not about them necessarily making a lot of money, its HOW THEY GET THE MONEY, and WHO'S MONEY ARE THEY USING... If Bieber or any other entertainer or sports figure gets paid big bucks because people WANT to see their act, that's on the people that want to watch and get entertained....they DO NOT HAVE TO GO OR PAY!!!!same goes for all those Republicans complaining about Michael Moore- people paid to see his movies it was their choice... SO QUIT WHINING ABOUT IT!!

If big time CEOs or bankers make money, it is usually, or has been lately- AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS!!! They get these big bucks by using taxpayer's interest free dollars ( TARP funds given by US- the tax payer) to stimulate the economy by giving loans TO US (in 2008)- which did not happen. The bankers took the $$ and invested it for themselves at LOW INTEREST and gave themselves BIG BONUSES and profits and left us in the dust- its a FACT. And that is what OWS is about predominantly....so it is not fair to compare an entertainer and their salary to the greedy, manipulative bankers and politicians that bend the rules at the expense of others to benefit themselves to such excess...because we did not CHOOSE THAT for ourselves or want to pay for that with our tax dollars-

So big bankers break the laws all the time, they are immoral, have no ethics, and screw the public every chance they get, plus buy off our politicians...and you are worried about the normal every day guy- broke and evicted by these A-holes and want to say "I dont support them because they are breaking the law" by Occupying a park???? ARE YOU SERIOUS????
That is rediculous and ubsurd...WAKE UP MAN!!

Again, as I have mentioned before, maybe YOU need to lose everything to get a real picture of what is going on- and soon with the way things are going, you just might, but it might be too late for all of us by then. And when you talk about the "Fringe element", its silly- the fringe element, people getting raped, people dying- that is all around us man- our own people, even our military does that crap in other countries- EVEN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES THAT FROM TIME TO TIME, it happens here in Baltimore- and you are going to judge and blame the AMERICAN People,Occupy Protesters - those struggleing to stay alive because they lost their economic lives or can't get a job because of a few bad apples causing problems? Really?? Its a COP OUT...

The fact is we are TOO COMFORTABLE in our little world of technology, gadgets, reality TV, and all the rest of it to really know or understand what the hell is going on. If you really knew the truth, about 911, Vietnam, WW2, the powers that run our country, the plans they have, you would think you were in a nightmare...If you do not have friends or family in the military or if you have never worked for law enforcement, or if you have just been wondering along in your own little, naive world, then I understand... and I feel sorry for you.

And if you really think that OWS " freely encourages or enables criminal activity"...THAT AGAIN IS PATHETIC AND SILLY. Have you spent any time at any OWS location? Have you talked to anybody there? To say that they want crime, rape, robbery or any negative encounter to take place is plain idiotic...

Again, wake up man!! Before it is too late...

I recently joined an Occupy group in my area so I could understand and participate in my limited capacity.

From what I have learned, I think it is good for Whigs to participate because they can give input to help guide the groups, or at least think deeper than simply occupying and protesting.

This is what I am trying to do because I see the exuberance of youth who lack experience is much in need of some viewpoints based on experience of reality. Not that they take it all in a productive way, but it also enables others to speak up and add some support for more balanced opinions. Maturity can be a good thing.

As to MWP diving in, I would recommend not doing so. It is good to remain independent as a party, while some members may wish to participate and share their political viewpoints.

Two months is not very long in the scheme of things, so there is a lot of evolving to take place. All Occupy groups are independent of each other, so there can be differences, intrigues, controversies depending on the groups. There is also a wide variety of ideas and philosophies involved, and this doesn't always lend itself to smooth evolution.

Occupy Wall Street is like a mothership. Because of the numbers of people, it has grown and evolved faster in many ways. Process evolves, needs appear in that group that don't appear in other places. Other groups have their own issues to deal with, such as Oakland. The demographics are different.

Also, there are provocateurs that create problems that have to be dealt with, and which the media can be taken in by. Lots of issues can and do arise.

I think it is best that MWP, as a party, doesn't endorse or get involved with the Occupy movement. However, I do think individuals should if they feel drawn to do so. I also think that the MWP can certainly express support of specific issues that are identified with Occupy, and should speak out or write about them in a very recognizable way. Concerns and issues belong to everyone.

Besides, Occupy will not endorse any party, and wants to remain independent from parties.

Occupy is bringing about awareness, and all movements, groups, parties can shape opinions that can result in action. There are different roles that can be taken by a variety of organizations. The key is identifying the role that any of them wish to take and the opportunities for being effective.

I'm in agreement with Peacelily. Even after these intervening weeks, they are still trying to find their way. They can and are as stuborn as any American can and is.

Their stance of remaining apart from political parties, however, is on the surface in Carson City. Most all, in Carson City, have said they will support the current occupier of the White House.

I am sympathetic to the Occupy movement only because their radicalism and unreasonableness resemble Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty and reminds me that our country was founded on radicalism and rabble rousing.

But on a practical level, this is the type of thing the MWP should avoid being for or against.