You do realize it says on their website what they're hoping to accomplish, yeah? Also, source on the increase of crime in the area?
It's not overplayed at all- In fact, Occupy is horrifically underplayed.
I didn't even know that they had a website, though it doesn't surprise me. Hoping to accomplish is different than having a plan. Sitting on your butt while bitching about how the world sucks isn't a plan. And yes, it IS overplayed. 1/3 of a news broadcast focusing on the Occupation... an NFL game getting interrupted because occupiers are sticking to their plans, knowing good and well that they're violating the law... Yes, it is VERY overplayed.
So exercising your right to assemble peacefully is not a good way to make one's point, then?
Making a point, yes. Having anything positive come out, no. This is especially true in this case, because what they're opposing isn't the government, but rich bureaucrats. They don't give a {CENSORED} if people are upset.
When you're being arrested, it's a little hard to tidy up.
How many people were arrested compared to how many people were there? Also, this was a huge problem before there was a single arrest. The occupiers are lazy and disrespectful when it comes to cleaning up, and you CAN'T blame the few arrests that have been happening on that, at least not logically.
Er, so you're not allowed to donate to a cause you support because you could be donating to a "worthier" cause? Also, at least in SF, the Occupiers do allow the homeless to stay.
I can say things about both sides of the arguments on this, but I won't. Let the donators donate to whomever they want.
Their message isn't clear? They're protesting against how the banks were rewarded for causing the recession and how the workers are still hurting from the housing crisis and how the government hasn't done much to help them. They're protesting about how funding for education is being cut in favour of war, and they're protesting how we're continuing our imperialism despite the deficit. They're also protesting the wealth disparity of the nation and how the ultra-rich pay less in income taxes than most Americans.
Basically, they're protesting against how money is being allocated in America.
As for how they're not lifting a finger to do anything. . Is protesting not doing something? I mean, what would you have them do?
I've been to Occupy SF. The people there know what they want and they're incredibly nice. Not all of them are dirty "hippies"; they're people from all walks of life. They're not lazy bums, either- Unemployment is a legitimate concern in America. If we're complaining about how there are no jobs, why are we telling protesters to go get some?
It's not about a message, it's about a plan of action, which they don't have. They're not "lifting a finger" because they're sitting around crying about how life sucks. They're emos with signs and megaphones instead of razor blades and eyeliner. Again, the wealthy that the occupiers are protesting against do not care about the 99%. If they did, then the problems that are being protested wouldn't even be occurring, or at least they wouldn't be as bad.
I should point out that I have several friends that are/were part of the Occupations of both Portland and Vancouver; there is no direct plan, and I'm getting this off from what they told me, as well as what's on the news and in print. It's just people bitching because that's all they WANT to do.
