Occupy Cork

deRanged

anyone see the protesters camped out in town?


IMG_7491 by Brian Clayton, on Flickr


IMG_7448 by Brian Clayton, on Flickr


I'd say Electric must be loving that.

Owen

Spotted it last night when I came over the footbridge on the way to the Cork boards meetup. Looks a bit daft really, Electric mentioned it in a funny way, but I'd say their patience would wear out quickly and rightly so.

omerin

Dam, I pitched my tent amidst the capatilist in the Coal Quay

horgan_p

It's unfortunate but it seems to be reinforcing the image of swampy the dreadlocked ,guardian reading ,unemployed, professional protester.

It'll take johnny and janey average with a mortgage out on the streets for anyone to take notice. Remember the pensioners protesting in Dublin ? They were average oaps protesting.
These lads are too easily ignored.The image given off is that this week its this protest next week it'll be something else.
Which is a pity , because I think it's a cause worth supporting.

parsi

No matter where you go you'll always see a tent from Decathlon...

corkcomp

horgan_p wrote: »

It's unfortunate but it seems to be reinforcing the image of swampy the dreadlocked ,guardian reading ,unemployed, professional protester.

That's exactly what I was thinking, most people don't have the time to take protesting to that level, even if they have something to protest about in the first place.

Doirtybirdy

lol,what a crowd of mis directed fools
I nearly fell into one of those tents taking my usual short cut.

Democracy now how are ya.
Enough people have to agree with you like

Savage!!!

Ye're jokin' me lads..Are you telling me you don't sit at home, or in the pub bitchin' and moanin' about the state of the country?..It' not much use complaining to your mates, and we all know how hard it is to get a bureaucrat to listen to what you have to say.
It' only the professional protesters there because they're the only ones with the cop on to get off their holes and take on the system..we don't all have time to camp out, but we could at least take the time to join in the discussions and not just dismiss it as nonsense (or,"nobody else is so I won't either")...if the "normal" people stopped grinning while taking it up the ass we would all be better off.
Doirtybirdy, you must have been quair pissed, 'cause the only short cut past those tents goes right in to the river.

Savage!!!

Ye're jokin' me lads..Are you telling me you don't sit at home, or in the pub bitchin' and moanin' about the state of the country?..It' not much use complaining to your mates, and we all know how hard it is to get a bureaucrat to listen to what you have to say.
It' only the professional protesters there because they're the only ones with the cop on to get off their holes and take on the system..we don't all have time to camp out, but we could at least take the time to join in the discussions and not just dismiss it as nonsense (or,"nobody else is so I won't either")...if the "normal" people stopped grinning while taking it up the ass we would all be better off.
Doirtybirdy, you must have been quair pissed, 'cause the only short cut past those tents goes right in to the river.

flo8s967qjh0nd

I imagine Electric are not happy, but I wouldn't be overly bothered becuase they seem to think they can take over the park whenever they like for open-air boozing.
It's ironic that they are camped under the cenotaph to those who died in World War 1. Now that was a generation who had something to protest about. Pack up your tents and go do something constructive....but I realise that won't be a particularly popular viewpoint!

Judes

I walked past them at about 17.30 yesterday. I was trying to walk slowly to read their placards, see what they were standing for. But I just felt p'd off! I left Cork in the 80's due to the high unemployment in this country and worked overseas for eleven years. I worked hard, I saved, I came home to Cork and went through a few short bouts of unemployment between jobs - then I continued to save. I had the 10% deposit to buy my own home. I am lucky to have a job now - and most of my money goes into my home - improvements etc. So that's "my life" and it reflects a lot of people in this country who got off their backsides and worked hard to try and improve their lives. Yesterday I just thought are this lot really fighting a cause or just looking for handouts. I get really fed up of the people who know how to buck the system and take, take, take. When I was trying to save for a deposit, I sacrified nights out, boozing and clubs, I had to get my priorities right. Maybe there are a few genuine people in that group trying to improve the living standards of everyone and believe in a cause - but when I looked at them yesterday I didn't feel compassion - just annoyance. I'm sure I'll be shot down for expressing these views but they are just my views.

Samantha Future Puff

Samantha Future Puff wrote: »

I imagine Electric are not happy, but I wouldn't be overly bothered becuase they seem to think they can take over the park whenever they like for open-air boozing.............

Indeed, they should be ensuring their patrons never go on the green. If a wino does it 'tis illegal but some different story for someone drinking in electric who wanders over on the phone.

Savage!!! wrote: »

...........Doirtybirdy, you must have been quair pissed, 'cause the only short cut past those tents goes right in to the river.

It's probably quicker to cut across the green where the tents are than to follow the path to the foot bridge

Worztron

Judes wrote: »

I walked past them at about 17.30 yesterday. I was trying to walk slowly to read their placards, see what they were standing for. But I just felt p'd off! I left Cork in the 80's due to the high unemployment in this country and worked overseas for eleven years. I worked hard, I saved, I came home to Cork and went through a few short bouts of unemployment between jobs - then I continued to save. I had the 10% deposit to buy my own home. I am lucky to have a job now - and most of my money goes into my home - improvements etc. So that's "my life" and it reflects a lot of people in this country who got off their backsides and worked hard to try and improve their lives. Yesterday I just thought are this lot really fighting a cause or just looking for handouts. I get really fed up of the people who know how to buck the system and take, take, take. When I was trying to save for a deposit, I sacrified nights out, boozing and clubs, I had to get my priorities right. Maybe there are a few genuine people in that group trying to improve the living standards of everyone and believe in a cause - but when I looked at them yesterday I didn't feel compassion - just annoyance. I'm sure I'll be shot down for expressing these views but they are just my views.

Perhaps you should concentrate your energy on attacking the greedy bankers and developers that have ruined this country for generations to come. Those occupy protesters never wrecked this country so give them a break. I commend them for their efforts.

Judes

Wortzon I concentrate my energy on trying to earn a living, paying bills, home improvements, community involvement, voluntary work to help others. I have attended quite a few protest marches over the past few years and have travelled to Dublin several times on my time off at weekends to do so. I don't focus my energies on kicking people when they are down - I try to be positive and do something about it.

Also, you can't blame "all" the bankers - just some very senior management, mortgage lenders, some property developers and some politicians. I have friends who are working in banks and I can assure you they are on an average wage and didn't cause the downfall of this country. Higher officials who approved the giving away of money/over development of properties etc. are the ones who need to be blamed. The problem we have in this country is no accountability - if we saw even a few of those who did the crime serve their time - it might help us all.

I know I will be crucified for what I'm about to say - but didn't we all go a bit mad during what some would call the good times. We all went wild with "plastic", cars, loans, holidays - it all had to be paid back at some stage.

ReacherCreature

Hmm. It's seemed as if the 'occupiers' have restricted the word 'occupy' quite a bit!

tonydude

one of there signs more or less says they cant afford food so how can they afford water. First off water charges have always been around and is only starting to be introduced into urban areas now ( :P )so stop complaining about it. Also ive been unemployed , but ive managed to get myself into a new job by actually going out there and looking for one.

Judes

Congrats TonyDude - you looked for a job - you found a job - you're doing a job! I read those placards yesterday re. the water charges - can't afford to eat and all I could think was - who's buying the round of drinks for them later on. And I wonder how many smoke - and what they're smoking - and what it costs. Oh well, that's the cynic in me. Everyone's to blame in some way - and I suppose everyone's innocent in other ways!?*

Judes

Judes wrote: »

.................

I know I will be crucified for what I'm about to say - but didn't we all go a bit mad during what some would call the good times. We all went wild with "plastic", cars, loans, holidays - it all had to be paid back at some stage.

I have no issue paying for anything I borrowed myself, paying the universal social charge and seeing all of the cuts being made to pay back other folks/businesses debts I do have an issue with.

In saying that I don't intend camping next to Electric to make the point.

Worztron

Judes wrote: »

I know I will be crucified for what I'm about to say - but didn't we all go a bit mad during what some would call the good times. We all went wild with "plastic", cars, loans, holidays - it all had to be paid back at some stage.

Oh dear! First off, I did not 'go mad'. Many people did not in fact. I don't own a car or house, nor use a credit card and have not been on a holiday in almost a decade. Why should I and many others pay for the idiotic excesses of others?
The best thing Ireland can do now is default and tell the IMF/ECB to take a hike.
Fair play to the occupiers. Keep it going.

Owen

I've driven past the campsite a few mornings now, and it looks like the usual bunch of mass unwashed crusties who just enjoy protesting. If it was young couples struggling with mortgages, or businessmen who have to close their companies down, I'd support them.

Duke Leonal Felmet

Smelly hippy social parasites. Go back to your middle class family and finish your King's Inn exams.

Judes

Owen - that's how I felt too. J

evilivor

I was down there at lunchtime and saw a bloke with a sign saying he was looking for change - so I gave him some.

Oafley Jones

Worztron wrote: »

The best thing Ireland can do now is default and tell the IMF/ECB to take a hike.
Fair play to the occupiers. Keep it going.

Explain to me why a unilateral default would be the best thing we could do? Since you've obviously put so much thought into this I'd also like to spell out what the effect - both immediate and long term examples please at micro and macro level - of this action would be?

Worztron

Oafley Jones wrote: »

Explain to me why a unilateral default would be the best thing we could do? Since you've obviously put so much thought into this I'd also like to spell out what the effect - both immediate and long term examples please at micro and macro level - of this action would be?

We cannot pay back these debts. They are not ours. They are and will continue to cripple us for many many years to come. Why accept it?

Duke Leonal Felmet

Worztron wrote: »

We cannot pay back these debts. They are not ours. They are and will continue to cripple us for many many years to come. Why accept it?

For the millionth time. If we refuse to pay, how do we pay Gardai, Nurses, pave roads, etc, etc, etc, etc.

gbee

Duke Leonal Felmet wrote: »

For the millionth time. If we refuse to pay, how do we pay Gardai, Nurses, pave roads, etc, etc, etc, etc.

We don't. Simple as. Roads are already very well paid for and we hand over the 'control' of roads to a PRIVATE company who makes money in the FIRST instance and if not enough cars pay the toll, OUR government pay them COMPENSATION.

Let's crack a few coconuts shall we?

Sonics2k

I support the people down at OccupyCork.

Yes they're not exactly ground-breaking or actively changing the system, but at least they are willing to go out and voice their opinions and concerns in public.

I've seen a few people posting on this thread bitching and moaning about the state of the country, but it's all very well and good to simply sit at a computer and whine, how about you go out and try to make some difference.

Owen

Sonics2k wrote: »

I support the people down at OccupyCork

You realise we're paying for the dole for these idiots to have a bit of a laugh down there? You realise that the people down there aren't representative of people who have suffered at the hands of the banks? Yesterday driving home, there was a beardy hippy guy wearing sandals laughing and smiling holding a sign saying something like 'honk if you support us'. To the likes of him, it's just a bit of fun, like going to a festival. I doubt if he really wanted to protest or if the banking eurozone crisis had taken everything away that he had that he'd be laughing and having the time of his life.

These people at the campsite are clearly unwilling to work, their dole should be cancelled.

Oafley Jones

Worztron wrote: »

We cannot pay back these debts. They are not ours. They are and will continue to cripple us for many many years to come. Why accept it?

How about answering my question? If you can that is.

JaneHudson

I think the real heroes are the poor shmucks who haul themselves into work day after day, like it or not, and contribute their taxes for the good of others.

deRanged

for all the clever slogans and posters they have, I don't actually know what they're protesting. I'm assuming that it's not a catch-all protest, but that they have some specific gripes.

Judes

JaneHudson - I salute you!!! Judes

Worztron

Oafley Jones wrote: »

How about answering my question? If you can that is.

We will default eventually.

Nothing has changed, not a single white collar crook is being brought to justice. So when the next bank bailout happens are we the public to also pay that?

We have many natural resources like gas & oil. That should raise a few billion Euros. We should also be concentrating on indigenous industry like bringing back the sugar factories rather than brown nosing to the greedy corporations that want to make a quick buck.

Are you in favor of paying back unguaranteed bond holders? The rich idiots gambled and lost and still want their cash back. :mad:

Worztron

JaneHudson wrote: »

I think the real heroes are the poor shmucks who haul themselves into work day after day, like it or not, and contribute their taxes for the good of others.

Unfortunately a large chunk of those taxes are going to pay the rich gamblers back their ill gotten money.

TheChief36

There are many things about this world I do not like, I believe they can be changed but I do not know what I can do to make it any better.

The people in occupy Cork are largely members of a subculture expressing a lifestyle and will change nothing whatsoever about the system we live in.

There is incredible inequality in the world and I think we should never stop trying to build a better world. Look at that little toddler in China, I read that people were afraid to help her in case they were blamed and targeted by lawsuits. It's this kind of world where money guides us more than our own better natures, that needs to change. I would like to live in a world where you have more choices then being a slave to a job that kills you bit by bit or a parasite that invites the scorn of others. Where your worth is not judged by your money making values. Some people have jobs involving helping others, like teachers and doctors, but even they will day after day find themselves in situations where are forbidden to help, to use their skills, because the figures aren't right. The rest of us must apply our human talents, great intellect and skill to jobs that have no inherent value, that do not challenge us or improve us in any way, except in the eyes of our employers. These jobs are nothing more than feeding the coal fires of towering monoliths who breathe and **** money.

The "occupiers" are indeed thoroughly enjoying themselves, an enjoyment that probably comes from alleviating the guilt they feel for being born into the society they're in. Also the feeling of superiority they get from being more "awakened" then the tie wearing sheep around them. So they "rough it" with all their needs still met and done of their own free will. All their friends in the same culture see them and their identity is reinforced. It also increases their chances of dating other members. Their self-worth increases, not by years in a job or cases closed but by attendance at a protest. What is the thought process? "how can I best make a difference" or more likely "hmm will that person I want to impress be at the protest?" And that is why the villains win, we are all to happy to dig our own graves.

Maybe some have gone to more protests than others so their status is greater. Ones who have been beaten by police, very high. And for those lucky enough to be arrested, Godly. This sub-culture is perfectly in keeping with the system they believe they oppose, by having two disparate camps people may move between them with the illusion of escape. They may have one use, they often very well articulate the problems in our society, even if they make no meaningful action against it.

If they want to be noticed, they should interupt the flow of money. Occupy the seats of power. Disrupt and sew chaos, then just like the strike movements we have seen work, something may be done. But it looks quite unlikely. It's like a war were one side doesn't really try, stays home on the day of the battle or if they do show up they carry no weapons. Then they wonder why they are losing. The best weapon of this age is information.

It's a strange world. There is a masochism in the people that express pride in doing a job they have to physically force themselves to go to every morning. And stranger still the self-indulgence that means people take extra pride in NOT doing something difficult and unpleasant. I think both are just cases of meaningless cultural pride. I would rather be a Beta than a Delta, I would rather die than be a Beta.

SeaFields

For those that are interested people who are staying in the campsite on Southmall were interviewed this morning, via a vox pop, on the Pat Kenny show on RTE radio one. I'm sure the podcast will be up on the RTE site in due course.

I was surprised at the occupations of the people. Didn't seem to be typical rent-a-protest gang. There was a dentist, landscape architect and a final year science mature student (although they could have been a select group).

Worth a listen anyway for those of ye who are interested in it.

Owen

Well, to counter the argument above, just in case anyone's in any doubt what a load of wasters are camping on site they were juggling and practising street performances. Guess it fits in well with the circus that's going on in there.

johnjoefinn

well said judes. everyone went mad. the occupy cork people lack credibility, as they are generally and mostly, i dont like the word, hippy like in appearance, speech, and nature. the only way change can actually be imposed in this country is when the normal person with a mortgage, negative equity, the unemployed (genuinely as opposed to career unemployed) decide to act. and it will happen eventually. the problem with you occupy crowd is ye mostly lack credibility., and mostly due to your wishy wahsy arguments. ye are not the 99 per cent, and you do not represent the 99 per cent. you represent the 1 per cent, yourselves. most people believe if you look, sound, and act like a hippy you are one. and most of the 99 per cent (the working, the unemployed, the single mothers, the pensioners, the family in negative equity and so on, the normal people) despair at the occupy people feigning to represent their views and values. ye lack credibility simply because ye are not representative of the 99 per cent i ireland and the 99 per cent see you quite justifiably as hippies, professional protestors, and layabouts. when the real 99 per cent rise in this country, ye will realise that, and you will also understand the distaste most have towards ye.

mikom

Owen wrote: »

just in case anyone's in any doubt what a load of wasters are camping on site they were juggling and practising street performances.

Lord save us...........

Worztron

johnjoefinn wrote: »

well said judes. everyone went mad.

We all went mad? Really? Speak for yourself, I did not go mad. What a sweeping generalisation.

johnjoefinn wrote: »

you represent the 1 per cent, yourselves. most people believe if you look, sound, and act like a hippy you are one.

You are calling the occupiers the 1%? The 1% are the white collar criminals that wrecked this country.

Oafley Jones

Worztron wrote: »

We will default eventually.

Nothing has changed, not a single white collar crook is being brought to justice. So when the next bank bailout happens are we the public to also pay that?

We have many natural resources like gas & oil. That should raise a few billion Euros. We should also be concentrating on indigenous industry like bringing back the sugar factories rather than brown nosing to the greedy corporations that want to make a quick buck.

Are you in favor of paying back unguaranteed bond holders? The rich idiots gambled and lost and still want their cash back. :mad:

You haven't a clue do you.

Corkblowin

I don't understand how camping out & making sh1t of one of the few pieces of open space that the PEOPLE have access to in our city does anything except discommode those of use who used to enjoy lunch or a coffee there. Least the guys in Dublin are right outside the central bank.

Oh - I don't have a house, nor did I go mad, but I've not seen anyone that I could relate to or be happy to speak fir me at the 'protest'.

Seloth

Passed by the Dame Street one on tuesday so I'm guesin its the same New age traveler type.

By all means you can agree with the idea in general but when you look at the specifics they propose then the water goes down the toilet.

I found it hilarious in Dame Street when I was two of them fighting over a girl :pac:.Non violent people ey.

I was and pretty much still a in an Alternative scene,but when you put it too such an extreme past a certain age they tend to be the same kind of people.Looking at the few people I know who are attending the protest today that are above 21...well lets just say they're not the brightest bunch of people.While in the states,with the Occupy wall street protest its the Common man doing it...In much other places its...well you've seen them =P

But feck it sher at least they have a cause unlike many other in the city.

How come these folk aren't removed by the Gardai? I'm sure if twenty odd homeless folk or travellers set up camp there they'd be moved on fairly lively?

namloc1980

Worztron wrote: »

We have many natural resources like gas & oil. That should raise a few billion Euros.

And how will we extract these resources.....by magic?

Worztron wrote: »

We should also be concentrating on indigenous industry like bringing back the sugar factories rather than brown nosing to the greedy corporations that want to make a quick buck.

Oh dear me. Sugar....are you serious?

Sonics2k

Owen wrote: »

You realise we're paying for the dole for these idiots to have a bit of a laugh down there? You realise that the people down there aren't representative of people who have suffered at the hands of the banks? Yesterday driving home, there was a beardy hippy guy wearing sandals laughing and smiling holding a sign saying something like 'honk if you support us'. To the likes of him, it's just a bit of fun, like going to a festival. I doubt if he really wanted to protest or if the banking eurozone crisis had taken everything away that he had that he'd be laughing and having the time of his life.

These people at the campsite are clearly unwilling to work, their dole should be cancelled.

I'm sorry but you're basing this off what exactly?

The fact he looks like a hippy, he's clearly unemployed or just doing it for a laugh?
How do you know he's not a victim of the recession. Maybe he was working quite happily for the last 15 years and is now possibly on the dole because he cannot find another job.

I'm unemployed. I'm also, not to brag, a computer genius. I can't get a job because I don't have a piece of paper from a University saying I can turn the damn things on, however I know men and women who work in IT who call me on a daily basis for advice on what to do.
I'm looking at at least 9 months of being unemployed before I can go back to college and get Back to Education.

Some of the people at the campsite are only there for a day or two, a few on their days off from work, I know this for a fact because I know a few of them.

So kindly take your opinion of strangers and shove it.

opti76

Worztron wrote: »

We will default eventually.

Nothing has changed, not a single white collar crook is being brought to justice. So when the next bank bailout happens are we the public to also pay that?

what laws were broken ???

deRanged

heck of a night to be camping out!
let's hope they don't end up being occupied by the Lee!

Owen

Sonics2k wrote: »

I'm sorry but you're basing this off what exactly?

The fact that the guy dresses like a crusty, behaves like a crusty, and protests like a crusty. If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it's probably a duck. I'm all for politicial correctness, and not judging a book by it's cover, but it's clearly the usual mass unwashed twats in there 'making a difference' - the dogs on the street know it.

So kindly take your opinion of strangers and shove it.

Personal abuse not allowed in any forums charter, you're around long enough to know that. Post reported.

Worztron

opti76 wrote: »

what laws were broken ???

White collar crime!!!