Dogs support the Occupy movement because:
patriotic pups want their country back!
~ Corporate and special interest monies do not belong in politics
~ We’ve been bought (and by “we” I mean our Representatives) by Corporate and PAC dollars and the People need to regain control for our country’s survival
~ Corporations are Not people (sorry SCOTUS — you were Very wrong on this one! Heck, dogs are more like people than a non-living, profit driven entity!)
~ 30 years of continued deregulation of big industry (banking, oil/energy, pharmaceutical, etc…) has Crippled our country (actually, it’s crippling us globally)
~ 30 years of continued tax breaks, subsidies and loop-holes for the top few percent in our population, while the vast majority stagnate or lose ground
distribution of wealth (and not in a socialist way!)
~ My planet is important to me —- blimey! it should be important to every living thing on Earth! This term alone, Republicans have proposed over 140 bills to eliminate protections to our air, oceans, food and water supplies
I could go on and on… But my first point basically tackles every other point I could make. Money in politics blankets the world we live in… and that blanket is smothering the majority of us.
Our democracy has become a corporatocracy and that should infuriate and mobilize everyone —- not just progressive pups!
I’ve been to a couple of local #OccupySacramento rallies giving support and sniffing out the scene. I must say that I’m more sickened than usual with some of the media reports: ”unruly mobs, sex in parks, mayhem and free drugs”. How could a perceptive pup like myself miss all that? Well, it was easy to miss since it doesn’t exist.
the sign says it all...
I chuckled manically when I heard Limbaugh tell his listeners that these “mobs are coming to your house to drag you into the street and kill you”. (Disclaimer: I heard the replay on Jon Stewart — I’d never subject myself to that doggie-doo otherwise.) Wow, and WOW!
As Ron Reagan Jr. said, with a giggle, this week “imagine if those people were holding signs about their 2nd amendment rights while carrying firearms”, ala the Tea Party. We never heard media carrying on about these folks coming to kill you — and they had guns!
I’m stymied by the change in this country and can only go back to what I always say — if dogs ran the world, it’d be a better place… But until then, I will stand strong with my biped brethren and Occupy.
Peaceful demonstrations with loud voices is how our country moved through civil rights and helped end the Vietnam war. I don’t think these voices are going away — I’m certainly not going to get silent — and I see the movement growing and broadening.
I realize this is weighty stuff from a waggy lad, but I hope you will consider my thoughts and what is happening around you. I’d love to hear your feelings — whether you agree or disagree.
I wholeheartedley agree! It feels like democracy has been bought and is going to the highest bidder. I suggest you watch a great documentary named Inside Job, it goes into detail how this all happened. It’s funny because Ron Reagan Sr. that helped start deregulation in the first place. It will boil your blood but it has great information in it and opens your eyes to what happened to this once great country.
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Thanks Dennis and yes, we’ve seen that movie — Very enlightening & maddening! and you are right — it was Reagan Sr. who pushed this rock down the mountain & it’s been gaining steam ever since….
I am proud of the folks Occupying & taking a stand and we’re honored to march with them!
appreciate the thoughtful comment, Dennis!
I’ve been watching the Occupy Wall Street movement closely for the last week or so…I agree it is interesting how quickly the media jumps to stereotypes. Atticus, I posted on FB a short video of a Bill Maher show that you might find interesting. I’m with you…we need to get big business out of our politics.
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I completely agree but until we fight the current Supreme Court, I’m afraid that all the protests in the world will have little impact. Clarence Thomas and Anthony Scalia led the way to allow corporations to buy our political system. We should be fighting to impeach THEM! I know that’s nearly impossible to do but as long as we have bigots and hypocrits in the highest court in the land, Wall Street has no reason to make a change in the way they do business or control our entire political system.
Just saying.
Atticus, As always, you keep me well informed. Thank you
Was the Limbaugh quote really true? I might have thought it was a joke. Sadly, maybe not…
I loved the idea that “Dogs are more human than corporations.” Let the courts chew on that one!
I’m not surprised this has your fur flying, Atticus. But the events that are unfolding are dramatic and in that way exciting, so despite the bias and misinformation, something important is happening. I’m grateful for the people who have the energy, motivation, and commitment to keep their voices coming through.
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/blog/
Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing
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I’ve seen a number of great Maher videos this week — will have to look for your post too, Darcie. Bottom line: no special interest money in politics (corporate, PAC, union, Koch’s, etc. etc…)
Excellent point, Bill! Like you said, nearly impossible to impeach a supreme… If you want a very funny, wacky view of the Supreme Court and how presidents appoint justices, read Christopher Buckley’s novel “Supreme Courtship” — hysterical! (actually all of his novels are hysterical!!)
thanks grandma! nice to see your comment here
Limbaugh actually angrily ranted many sentences in a row — that’s just one of them. he’s incredibly “off” in so many ways… it baffles me that people (some sheeple people) hang onto his every word. how can dogs have better discretion and deeper intellect than so many humans??
I agree with you that “something important is happening”. I may have to write more on this focusing on some of the misinformation swirling in the media.
Hey Atticus, glad to see your feeling better. You have more patience than me in tracking the Occupy movement because I can tolerate about 30-60 minutes of news a day because more than that puts me close to a Brian Wilson “rage.” I’ve heard the movement doesn’t have a central idea, that they’re a bunch of hippies (if I’d been born 10 years earlier I probably would’ve have been too-after spending sometime in the Army), etc., etc., etc. Your mom and I have talked about the Tea Party a few times, and although our political philosophies differ in some areas, we both agree (I think) it’s just a gimic. It’s turning into a pretty influential gimic in the GOP which makes me predict Obama will get re-elected, not that I’ve been impressed by him in most areas, but because the Tea Party seems to be the shot callers for the Republicans. But one thing the Occupy movement does make me think is there may be hope on the horizon. My gut feeling is deep down it’s comprised of middle of the road folks who see the need for equity in our political system. I’ve been in many countries and tracked many others, some whom we support, some whom we oppose, that are racked with corruption. With the influence of the mainstream media, both liberal and conservative because there doesn’t appear to be a centrist news organization, the noise of the 24/7 news cycle, and the reality that “electable” candidates are not only those who appeal to a plurality, I personally think the financial impact of special interests equates to corruption in the American political system. Elections can be bought and sold. I think the Occupy folks see it too. What would be phenomenal would be for that group to evolve into a third party, something that is certainly down the road right now but may be feasible. Independent thinkers united with the right mix of common sense, reward for hard work, social programs that go to those truly in need while tied to a societal contribution, some sort of compulsory public service for all Americans, and original ideas. Maybe we’ll see it in our lifetime. I certainly hope to. Talk to you all soon. Jeff
Atticus, I applaud your activism! It has been an interesting movement to watch but I find the media portrayal of the protestors even more interesting (and biased). Just the reporting this morning about the owners of the park in NY where the protestors are living has been interesting. Some reports left out the fact the protestors actually cleaned up the park themselves after being asked to leave so the owners could clean it. The protestors are being minimized by their protrayal as “dirty, communiist, hippies” whereas the Tea Party supporters aren’t even portrayed as protestors! They are “attending an event” — a much less loaded description.
I can’t even take Limbaugh or Savage seriously — I just think they say things to incite people to boost their ratings. If they were at least sincere in their comments I would have a lot more respect for their dissenting view.
Looking forward to reading more.
Trish
http://www.robertssister.com
caregiving. family. advocacy.
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Atticus, Thanks for offering your insight to such a timely topic, I’m glad to see this movement taking place . Corporate greed is rampant and it’ time that we took our America back. Good for you for being such a patriotic pup. Don’t give up!
I completely agree with you about the media spin. It’s so discouraging. I try to stay neutral as far as my politics and my online presence goes but you only have to look at our last presidential election to see the far reaching impact that the media has these days.
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The news sometimes puts me into a “Brian Wilson rage” too, Jeff! lol! (ok, now I’m sad… missing my Giants…)
I love your thoughtful comment and wholeheartedly agree! Your statement “I personally think the financial impact of special interests equates to corruption in the American political system. Elections can be bought and sold. I think the Occupy folks see it too” is Spot on! Slowly and stealthily, over 30 years, our governing bodies have been bought & sold — and you are right — it’s corrupt. Americans seem to readily see this in other countries, but have been idle as corruption has flooded our own system over a generation.
You certainly don’t have to be a hippy to “occupy”, Jeff! We’ve seen plenty of Vets out there (past & recent). Like you said, the crowd seems to be a mix of “common sense” folks & “independent thinkers”. And we always have Hope…
Agree Trish — the media coverage has been biased and just plain old strange. Like you said, the “occupiers” (me, mum & Wilbur included) are being derided as a “mob” or “dirty hippies” or “commies & socialists”. But the Tea Party with their “2nd amendment remedies” and their openly carried firearms were just fine… Folks who feel compelled to show their “strength” by parading around public events with firearms are much more frightening than peaceful “dirty hippies” any day!
Thanks for the comment & support, Sherryl! I know it’s complicated to voice our views (political, etc..) in public forums but this pup has no qualms about stating what I believe. One of the many reasons mama feels more comfortable having me discuss these issues than she does herself — it’s harder for humans… more push-back & repercussions.
As you said, “Corporate greed is rampant and it’ time that we took our America back”, and I completely agree!
Hi Atti and Heidi,
don’t be shy! Say what you think
I am with you all the way. Unfortunately, capitalism has taken over democracy, the system in the US is out of balance. If you have few regulations and little control from the government, corporations will take over and make us puppets. I am glad to see all these people on the streets. Yes: you do have a voice and yours counts!
Just recently, I heard a young college student (no names here) tell me how funny he thinks the people in Europe are. Every time people disagree with their governments, they are in the streets protesting “oh not again, so much drama”, that’s what he said. I was confused to hear a young man say something like that. Where is your enthusiasm for your country? Don’t you see that you are the next generation? Don’t you think it’s in your hands? At this age, I thought, the world is mine and I can change it with my voice (I still think I can do that!).
I am glad to see all these people protesting. Make your voice heard, this is your country and your future!
Franziska San Pedro
The Abstract Impressionist Artress
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Somehow I knew you’d agree with me on this one, Franziska! You are so right — “capitalism has taken over democracy”. Capitalism is good when there are checks & balances. Unchecked, unregulated capitalism = unfettered greed and a nation without equity.
I stand with the Occupy Movement!