Occupy Black Friday

Originally posted by Kali74
reply to post by seabag

 

Visions brought to you via Alex Jones or some other such nonsense, right comrade? Er, wrong crowd...I meant right dude?

There may be someone here who channels Alex Jones but it isn’t me!

So on Saturday morning, when I post videos of clashes at stores, will you say “you were right, seabag”?

Come on?! Fair is Fair!

reply to post by AnonymousVan


Really? So bugging and screaming at people just trying to go shopping is not going to cause some problems in some areas? The problem with these protest is they always bring out some Jackwagon who gets in your face and bugs you. If I'm with my family, I'm not impressed. Leave me be. I don't protest their activities and get in their face.

If you really wanted to make a difference, there are more valid ways to do so.

reply to post by seabag


I will condemn any particular individual or group of individuals that harrasses a person or persons. Haven't you noticed this about me yet? I'm not doing my shilling very well

What I learned at a very early age is not to judge all by the few.

Originally posted by Fractured.Facade
Better hope word of this doesn't get out to the Children in the USA.

You'll have mobs of angry children showing up ready to beat down the occupiers.

My children are quite aware of why I won't be buying them a bunch of junk this Christmas. Not to say they won't be getting gifts but, I won't be shopping on black friday. They understand about materialism and consumerism. They understand that people are exploited to make these goods, that will only end up broken in a box in the back of the closet in 6 months. I don't completely forbid all electronics, but I do make sure my children understand what had to happen for it to get into their hands.

Black Friday is already a volatile situation. I mean people die trying to get the new xbox or whatever. Add the OWS who have proven to be messy and attract riot cops like white on rice well I don't see anything good accomplished.

As to those saying "no evidence of them planning on harassing shoppers" Well that is true also, but be honest with yourself do you think all of them are going to be respectful? Its not about wither or not they are planning on harassing shops its about wither or not they do, or shoppers harass them. I mean I would be pretty miffed if I was was just trying to buy something for Christmas and people chanting with signs and whatnot were telling me I'm evil. Oh and the drum circles that would send me into a rage spiral!!

Anyways sense I can't see into the future I guess I'll just have to sit on this in till and see what happens. My hindsight is always 20/20 after all.

reply to post by Mcupobob


All of them may not be respectful as not all shoppers will be respectful as not all people will be respectful in public ever. Plus, you can get your groove on to the drummers while waiting in line outside...it will pass the time nicely I think.

reply to post by syrinx high priest


I don't get it.

What does fonzie on water skis mean?

Nvm. Google to the rescue sorry for the confusion. 2112

Originally posted by Kali74
reply to post by Mcupobob

 

All of them may not be respectful as not all shoppers will be respectful as not all people will be respectful in public ever.

Thats kind of my point. There doesn't have to be evidence of them planning on harassing people(and nobody ever really plans on that) as its most likely to happen from either parties or both.

Plus, you can get your groove on to the drummers while waiting in line outside...it will pass the time nicely I think.

I'm to broke to shop no matter the low low prices. And it doesn't matter the beat I hate drum circles on principle!

Originally posted by AnonymousVan
Wow just wow

actually nobody said OWS would harass shoppers

But immediatly people react like a bunch of angry bees....

Deny Ignorance, seriously .?

im amazed how people react stupidly on ATS

I have defended occupy a few times on ATS. I just think that maybe this idea in particular wasn't thought all the way through. Maybe the people want to get away from the horrible truth for a day and shop for their loved ones, themselves and/or be around other people enjoying the holiday events. Call me crazy but I don't think it would kill the movement to just take a day off and let the people enjoy one day of their life whilst pretending to be happy and not have to be reminded about what's happening. If anything this will negatively alter the movement's image to those on the fence and further increase the divide between the opinions. I doubt the occupy movement would even get close to intentionally harassing shoppers and I know that is far from their goal. The fact of the matter is the majority of the shoppers are a part of the 99% and Occupy's presence on a day that is supposed to be fun for some will be affected by them being there reminding them of the conflict even if they agree with the occupy side of it.

I'm still not against occupy I just think it's fair to look at it from other perspectives and everyone has a right to their opinion. Mine is they should sit this one out.

Originally posted by schitzengigz
reply to post by syrinx high priest

 

I don't get it.

What does fonzie on water skis mean?

Nvm. Google to the rescue sorry for the confusion. 2112

edit on 23-11-2011 by schitzengigz because: (no reason given)

Google the term "jump the shark".

reply to post by Epirus

I'm still not against occupy I just think it's fair to look at it from other perspectives and everyone has a right to their opinion. Mine is they should sit this one out.

You're right being called a dirty hippie or communist is pretty much going to assure a defensive stance as opposed to an objective one. Again I think it's fine to protest outside or walk around inside with a sign but stay out of peoples way. People make choices to shop and shouldn't be harrased for it whether we think it's right or wrong. Most people realize that getting in people's way or in anyone's face will not be persuasive but there's idiots everywhere and no one can do anything about that.

reply to post by seabag


Fonzie "jumped the shark" Google it.

reply to post by Kali74

Are you always so physically reactionary? Have you thought about becoming a cop, the PD's are probably looking to replace all the cops placed on administrative leave for beating/pepper-spraying peaceful protesters.

No, but this is whats going to happen. Some idiot is going to cross the line.

Remember that citizens are not bound by the same rules as the police or your movement.

reply to post by thehoneycomb


And that person will be an idiot.

reply to post by Kali74


Maybe, they would emerge as a hero and the OWS would be the villain? Maybe other OWSers would join in. Maybe other consumers would join in.

In the end, it will make OWS look bad.

ETA: But OWS does a good job of that on their own.

Honestly these black fridays are semi-controlled riots and seem to get more unruly by the year.I was an assistant manager for a defunct large N.Y. retailor some 30 years ago and can tell you a lil secret.Many retailors will falsly put a inflated price on items then slash the price tag so the consumer assumesthey are getting a markdown when in actuality they are paying the items full retail price.I hated"the season"from thanksgiving thru to the new year.I remember giving a guy a good discount on a slightly damaged jacket to see him being cuffed by our undercover security guy15 minuits latter for trying to steal over $150 of baby clothes!Peopl are quite mad and sadly this time of year they are much worse,imo.I dont think OWS has any idea what they have in store for them!

reply to post by thehoneycomb


The same could be said of a person. Making themselves look bad by being judgemental and refusing to see individuals in groups. It's narrowminded and that mentality has helped get the world to where it is today.

Originally posted by thehoneycomb
reply to post by Kali74

 

Maybe, they would emerge as a hero and the OWS would be the villain? Maybe other OWSers would join in. Maybe other consumers would join in.

In the end, it will make OWS look bad.

If a shopper reacted physically and no OWSer did anything physical to that shopper, the shopper would be a brute or if you prefer an idiot and would be wrong for reacting with physical violence. The resulting group reaction to the unnecessary and avoidable catalyst caused by the brute would indeed be blamed on OWS as you said. That's the truth and it's very unfortunate. The cards are stacked against the OWS movement as the media focuses on the negative stories and ignores the positive ones and even in some cases twists stories all together to make OWS the villain.

Again I'm not pro or anti OWS yet but it's not hard to see they aren't being given a fair shake as far as the media goes. OWSers aren't a bunch of insane people who just want to do drugs, go to the bathroom in the street and lay around on concrete wiggling their thumbs. If you believe this then I don't know how you ever made it to this website because you are clearly following the MSM hacks that call themselves journalists and not denying ignorance. They aren't being portrayed properly and that's why I'm trying to learn more about them before I agree or disagree with them.

reply to post by Kali74


True, but if it hurts an individual, they can plead guilty to assault or whatever charge and go on living their lives.

reply to post by Epirus


Well I'm not gonna tell you what to do. Only you can do that. I can tell you that the OWS is largely supported by anti-capitalists, unions, socialists, anarchists, communists, the nazi party, the black panthers and many others. They have excepted funds by Alliance for Global Justice care of George Soros and they have started a non-profit that sends its money to places like nicaragua and helps funds things such as the drug cartels.