Occupy Galway, fresh start thread

biko

The last thread on this topic lasted 5 months before it got too much but let's try again.
Feel free to view your opinions on the Galway movement or the movement in general and what they seek to achieve.
The only two caveats are, don't be a dick (to them or to other posters that disagree with you) and back up with proper sources any statements you make.

Last news I've seen

Occupy Galway not breaking the law, says Garda
GARDAÍ HAVE said they have no legal basis to take action against Occupy Galway, which is now the last remaining anti-globalisation camp on the island.

Former mayor and Fine Gael councillor Pádraig Conneely has said he will not attend the St Patrick’s Day parade viewing stand in the square in protest at the failure of the authorities to take action.
“I will attend the parade as a member of the public, but I will not sit on a viewing stand overlooking what I believe is a shanty town,” Mr Conneely said.

My own opinion: even though I don't think they'll ever achieve what they set out to do (which I think is generally bring on some 1917 style revolution) I think it's good they are highlighting injustices and they show how the people, if pushed too far, will protest peacefully.

Of course politicians will want them gone, they want status quo back with the masses shutting up and paying the taxes (their inflated salaries/pensions).
Occupy are actually "walking the walk" and fair play to them for that.

Their website seems to have grown quite a bit
http://www.occupygalway.org/

Their current headlines are calling for a no vote in the Stability Treaty referendum and they seem to be aligning themselves with the voteno.ie website which is edited by members of the Socialist Workers Party.

To me it looks like the movement has been hijacked by the SWP and is being used as a permanent political base.

While I believe anyone should be able to set out their stall or stand up on a soap box I don't believe this should extend to a permanent camp being allowed to remain.

On the movement in general I was amazed when the Occupy Dublin members went to help the landlord of some 20 to 30 properties who was being evicted from his mansion in a gated community in Killiney recently - I'm not sure what they hoped to achieve by supporting a couple who most definitely are the 1%

Red_Wake

biko wrote: »

Of course politicians will want them gone, they want status quo back with the masses shutting up and paying the taxes (their inflated salaries/pensions).
Occupy are actually "walking the walk" and fair play to them for that.

In what sense do you believe they've changed the status quo.

And is there anywhere I can find a comprehensive guide to their goals and beliefs?

meh, still have no time for these folks. They should be moved on. Let them protest all they want, no problem with that, just let them rent out a premises like everyone else. They are nothing special, just an eyesore that has gone beyond a joke at this stage

eamo12

Remember, this is the city that wants to erect a statue to the murderous thug Guevara. They have neither the balls or the courage to move these beardos on. It's about state/taxpayer handouts - that's all they care about.

Mod note, banned

squonk

I see it as the authorities not having the stones to move them on at this point. I have no issue with anyone whatsoever voicing their opinions and protesting and occupying an area or building to make a point. The problem here is that the protestors aren't campaigning for any one cause. It's a disparate group of people protesting at various different things. To me this looks like a long, drawn out speech. If you can't make your point in 30 seconds then it's probably not worth making. Same with these guys. If they couldn't make their point in the first 3 weeks of occupation, what's a year going to do for them? When exactly do they go?

If the gardai have no legal basis to remove them, what's to stop homeless individuals pitching tents elsewhere in the square? That certainly wouldn't be tolerated. I don't see why this prolonged occupation is either.

At this point, the best things these guys could do is pack up and move on. The debate has moved on. The occupy movement in general is something now referred to in common everyday speech as past tense. Why there should still be one camping out in Eyre Square is strange and somehow stupid looking.

ben.schlomo

Find it odd that they have been moved on in Waterford, Dublin and Cork but not here. They arent achieving anything like what they wanted to. They dont have '99%' of peoples support so really they should just pack up from the Square and as said above rent a premises if they need so much space. Also find it strange that they dont seem to ever be open in the Square before at least 9:30 in the morning, i mean if they want working peoples support then i dont think that appearing to have a lie in every day would help with that.

squonk

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Also find it strange that they dont seem to ever be open in the Square before at least 9:30 in the morning, i mean if they want working peoples support then i dont think that appearing to have a lie in every day would help with that.

I'd say the amount that actually live there vs. those who spend the night at home is the reason for the late opening!

Paddyfield

One of the City Councilors (Crowe or Connely?) said that if a caravan parked in Eyre Square, then it would be removed and there would be legal proceedings.

Sponge Bob

Councillors Conneely and Crowe are a pair of eyesores and earsores. They should be removed immediately and skipped. To think that these people will be given official roles during the Volvo race <shudders>

elvis99

I think their actions are admirable. Whether you agree or disagree with them they've showed great balls. They've stood up for what they believe and they deserve respect for that.

squonk

What have they stood up for though? They erected a camp in Eyre Square and nobody has asked them to move. That's hardly standing up for something really. The people of Derry or Syria or the American Civil Rights movement can all be admired for standing up for something and what they did took balls but skulking in a tent in the corner of Eyre Square for six months isn't what could be called standing up for anything.

ben.schlomo

squonk wrote: »

I'd say the amount that actually live there vs. those who spend the night at home is the reason for the late opening!

Very true, this would also call into question the need for the tent city part of it i guess.

Robbo

You have to admire their perseverance but question their judgement.

At various times, they've been promoting the Freeman-on-the-Land hokum, decrying water fluoridation the most monstrously conceived and dangerous Communist plot we have ever had to face, promoting a Goth night in De Burgos and wanting cheaper fossil fuels for all (but also costing up a, er fusion reactor "to harness solar")

Today's offering on Facebook was this.

You can check if you are registered for the upcoming Fiscal Treaty Referendum with this resource.

The EU Bureaucrats want to sent up an inter-governmental organization (a big bank) that is:

1) Above Law - the ESM (European Stability Mechanism) will "enjoy immunity from every form of judicial process" Article 27.2
2) Above Democracy - the unelected administrators of the "ESM will be... immune from...executive, judicial, administrative or legislative action" Article 27.3
3) Above Finance - We are required to "irrevocably and unconditionally undertake to pay any capital call made" within seven days if is such requests. Article 9.3

Their solution to a banking collapse is to create a massive bank with unlimited power that will last forever.

“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” -Albert Einstein

This legislation is highly dangerous to the existence of the above principles. If you want Law, Democracy and Finance to remain open then this treaty needs to be closed.

The numbers against this treaty are growing in Ireland and Europe but the decision is in our hands. Get registered, get informed and get out on May 31st.

Now the problem here is that in the text of the Treaty that exists on Occupygalway.org, there's no Article 27. There's also no Article 9.3. No sign in the official version either so you have to wonder about a group who will tell you from one side of their mouth that you're being led up the garden path with the Treaty and just randomly making **** up about it with the other.

factual lies

If people are putting up tents and not sleeping in them, is that no littering? Any tent not in use should be immediately removed.

elvis99

squonk wrote: »

What have they stood up for though? They erected a camp in Eyre Square and nobody has asked them to move. That's hardly standing up for something really. The people of Derry or Syria or the American Civil Rights movement can all be admired for standing up for something and what they did took balls but skulking in a tent in the corner of Eyre Square for six months isn't what could be called standing up for anything.

They have views which are bizarre, but some views they express I would agree with. My point was they stood up for what they believed in, and still haven't backed down, that's admirable imo.

And Id happily prefer to support a tent full of crazy people in Eyre square for 6 months before a tent full of cronies at the Galway races for 3 days.

antoobrien

They have it in their minutes that the ODS breached section 21 of the Public Order act - hence the dismantling of the camp for the St Patricks Day parade.

VOR - please say you want Eyre Square for something.

elvis99

Robbo wrote: »

You have to admire their perseverance but question their judgement.

At various times, they've been promoting the Freeman-on-the-Land hokum, decrying water fluoridation the most monstrously conceived and dangerous Communist plot we have ever had to face, promoting a Goth night in De Burgos and wanting cheaper fossil fuels for all (but also costing up a, er fusion reactor "to harness solar")

Today's offering on Facebook was this.

Now the problem here is that in the text of the Treaty that exists on Occupygalway.org, there's no Article 27. There's also no Article 9.3. No sign in the official version either so you have to wonder about a group who will tell you from one side of their mouth that you're being led up the garden path with the Treaty and just randomly making **** up about it with the other.

http://www.european-council.europa.eu/media/582311/05-tesm2.en12.pdf

Those sections are actually listed as part of the treaty according to the PDF which I found on the european council website, make of it what you will, but it is covered in Article 32, the sections they have highlighted seem mixed up.

Im not a supporter of occupy but the section they have highlighted may not have been pulled from there hoop.

jkforde

biko wrote: »

The only two caveats are, don't be a dick...

eamo12 wrote: »

Remember, this is the city that wants to erect a statue to the murderous thug Guevara. They have neither the balls or the courage to move these beardos on. It's about state/taxpayer handouts - that's all they care about.

great start there eamo12 :rolleyes:

my opinion is that these folks are genuine if idealistic in their concerns about social injustice, which is insidious & obvious to anyone who makes the effort to ask the right questions. it's too easy & intellectually lazy to negatively label people without at least trying to empathise with their concerns and situation. they're not beardos, they're brave citizens who are voicing concerns that the rest of us cowards won't voice, maybe because we're too busy being brainwashed consumers. i mean, how many people on here have actually bothered to talk with them in their camp?

biko

eamo12 banned.
As in the previous thread there will be some pretty heavy modding going on so do try hard to be civil. I don't mind banning people from each "camp".

Gingko

I agree with Biko's opening post. People should always have the right to protest especially these days after all that has and is happening. I personally don't think the Galway protest is "in your face" at all? It's nestled into a small corner and not blocking the entrance to Eyre square. They have it fenced off and they seem to be concious of litter etc. When I visited last everyone was very polite and courteous and easy to warm to.

I do hope that it doesn't go the way of the Dublin protest that started well but ended up dirty, littered and to be quite honest there were quite a few scumbags that latched on there in the end.

What would it say about the Irish if there was no protest at all? Wish them well!

WallyGUFC

Gingko wrote: »

I agree with Biko's opening post. People should always have the right to protest especially these days after all that has and is happening. I personally don't think the Galway protest is "in your face" at all? It's nestled into a small corner and not blocking the entrance to Eyre square. They have it fenced off and they seem to be concious of litter etc. When I visited last everyone was very polite and courteous and easy to warm to.

I do hope that it doesn't go the way of the Dublin protest that started well but ended up dirty, littered and to be quite honest there were quite a few scumbags that latched on there in the end.

What would it say about the Irish if there was no protest at all? Wish them well!

But it's not a protest to the normal passerby. I don't see protesting going on. Whenever I pass, 3/4 times a week, I see a few lads in the main marquee sitting around drinking tea. That's it. What are they protesting against again? Why are they allowed stay there? Would caravans be as welcome in Eyre Square? Can anyone just decide to camp there now? Why do they claim to represent the 99%? All interesting questions...

Wompa1

In the time the Occupy camp has been in Eyre Square I've been offered 5 jobs and my girlfriend has got 4 part time jobs...but I guess sitting in a tent in the middle of the town is another way to deal with the recession..the 99.9999999999999999...whatever % that each person there would protest for and against won't buy my lunch, pay for my internet or put petrol in my car. Self preservation and all that, if you have the months to piss away sitting in a tent, how bad off are you? Maybe it's a sign that social welfare is too generous in Ireland more than anything. Or are these people unwilling to work and see this as a cause which justifies them not looking for work?

I really don't get it at this stage. It's past the point of protest. Does anybody have any positive thoughts when they see the camp now? For the first few days I thought it was admirable, I really did. It quickly spiralled into a cluster f**k and now it's nothing more than settlement of tents in the Square..there is no protest.

CrowdedHouse

I'm wondering why the thread was re-opened at all.

Seems a bit pointless like the 'protest'

elvis99

Why such opposition to Occupy? But when it comes to those who lead us they still get away with murder, its like we complain about those who seek change.

And i'm not referring to Fianna fail or Fine Gael uniquely i'm talking about all our political leaders. Our health minister purchases €300 coffee machines with taxpayers money, Sinn fein claiming expenses for enough ink cartridges to print 3.2million sheets of A4 paper, they are robbing taxpayers blind but yet we give out about those on social welfare being scabs.

And thats what they want the middle class giving out about the lower classes.

antoobrien

elvis99 wrote: »

Why such opposition to Occupy? But when it comes to those who lead us they still get away with murder, its like we complain about those who seek change.

And i'm not referring to Fianna fail or Fine Gael uniquely i'm talking about all our political leaders. Our health minister purchases €300 coffee machines with taxpayers money, Sinn fein claiming expenses for enough ink cartridges to print 3.2million sheets of A4 paper, they are robbing taxpayers blind but yet we give out about those on social welfare being scabs.

And thats what they want the middle class giving out about the lower classes.

In my experience they don't want people thinking about the situation, just doing what they want you to do. Try to talk to them having actual figures and sources and they just get sullen or argumentative - because you aren't buying their line - and god help you if you have an opinion on anything that doesn't match theirs.

A lot of the things they promote are of dubious legality (the freeman rubbish) or morality (refusing to pay your own legally accrued debts, the jailing of people who haven't been found guilty breaking laws & trial by media).

From a practical side some of the things they have suggested - unilateral wage cuts for people they don't like. Allowing wage contracts to be broken for anyone creates a precedent that puts everyones wage contract in jeopardy - which i.m.o. is the real reason why CPA is so contentious for the likes of siptu who have public & private sector members.

They come out with facts (e.g. shell to sea) that are misunderstood/ misleading at best and just plain wrong at worst. Then claim that they didn't bring it up at all.

Their responses to inquiries about transparency of their "organisation" e.g. funding membership etc, are hypocritical at best - if they want to decry organizations such as banks or political parties for being not transparent enough they have to lead by example.

All in all they come across as a a parent telling a child "Do what I say not want I do" or when asked why you should/shouldn't do something "Because I said so" (god help all parents when kids figure out that one means they don't have a good reason).

Thanks we have enough legitimate political parties that aren't camping in an area not designated for camping (that has to be illegal) already doing the same.

dloob

elvis99 wrote: »

http://www.european-council.europa.eu/media/582311/05-tesm2.en12.pdf

Those sections are actually listed as part of the treaty according to the PDF which I found on the european council website, make of it what you will, but it is covered in Article 32, the sections they have highlighted seem mixed up.

Im not a supporter of occupy but the section they have highlighted may not have been pulled from there hoop.

Yeah those articles are from the ESM treaty.
The one being voted on is the treaty on stability, coordination and governance.

The articles from the ESM treaty make better quotes though.

This is one being voted on http://www.european-council.europa.eu/media/639235/st00tscg26_en12.pdf

elvis99

antoobrien wrote: »

In my experience they don't want people thinking about the situation, just doing what they want you to do. Try to talk to them having actual figures and sources and they just get sullen or argumentative - because you aren't buying their line - and god help you if you have an opinion on anything that doesn't match theirs.

A lot of the things they promote are of dubious legality (the freeman rubbish) or morality (refusing to pay your own legally accrued debts, the jailing of people who haven't been found guilty breaking laws & trial by media).

From a practical side some of the things they have suggested - unilateral wage cuts for people they don't like. Allowing wage contracts to be broken for anyone creates a precedent that puts everyones wage contract in jeopardy - which i.m.o. is the real reason why CPA is so contentious for the likes of siptu who have public & private sector members.

They come out with facts (e.g. shell to sea) that are misunderstood/ misleading at best and just plain wrong at worst. Then claim that they didn't bring it up at all.

Their responses to inquiries about transparency of their "organisation" e.g. funding membership etc, are hypocritical at best - if they want to decry organizations such as banks or political parties for being not transparent enough they have to lead by example.

All in all they come across as a a parent telling a child "Do what I say not want I do" or when asked why you should/shouldn't do something "Because I said so" (god help all parents when kids figure out that one means they don't have a good reason).

Thanks we have enough legitimate political parties that aren't camping in an area not designated for camping (that has to be illegal) already doing the same.

I agree with you on a number of points the morality aspect especially, people of course should pay there debts. I can't comment on things like the Croke park agreement and unions because I have a limited knowledge of employment law.

I just felt there is a very negative view of those who want change. Especially when you see the behaviour of legitimate political parties, are they acting morally? are they leading by example? In my opinion no.

fishy fishy

antoobrien wrote: »

They have it in their minutes that the ODS breached section 21 of the Public Order act - hence the dismantling of the camp for the St Patricks Day parade.

VOR - please say you want Eyre Square for something.

why? Its nice to see somebody standing up for their principals and sticking with it. Long may it live - hopefully protests like these will become more popular in the future - the way the people are being treated. Of course you will get the ones calling for them to be beheaded, but will have no problem benefitting from any gains the protesters achieve. You wont' see them handing it back. People NEED to protest - the sooner people realise this the better. We've been led around by the nose a bit too much to be honest.
Long live the protest.

ben.schlomo

fishy fishy wrote: »

why? Its nice to see somebody standing up for their principals and sticking with it. Long may it live - hopefully protests like these will become more popular in the future - the way the people are being treated. Of course you will get the ones calling for them to be beheaded, but will have no problem benefitting from any gains the protesters achieve. You wont' see them handing it back. People NEED to protest - the sooner people realise this the better. We've been led around by the nose a bit too much to be honest.
Long live the protest.

What have they achieved?

fishy fishy

ben.schlomo wrote: »

What have they achieved?

for starters, they get people thinking? Thinking is the first step. And it's no harm for everyone to start thinking about how screwed the people of this country are being, day in and day out. The more people start thinking the more of a chance that the people will make a difference.

i know some people would wish them to go away, but I'd rather have them there as a constant reminder, rather than for them to be brushed under the carpet and pretend we are not being screwed (just what our dear leaders would love).

Remember anemic eamon gilmore, (the most unconvincing speaker I think I've ever encountered) was no stranger to protesting himself - that was before the power hit him.

antoobrien

fishy fishy wrote: »

for starters, they get people thinking? Thinking is the first step.

I would argue the exact opposite. They rely on unsourced blogs for their "facts". Show them any documentary evidence to the contrary they dismiss it as propaganda. Actually show product of critical thinking and you're trying to subvert them.

It's my firm opinion that they don't want people thinking for themselves, they want sheep to follow them.

squonk

fishy fishy wrote: »

for starters, they get people thinking? Thinking is the first step. And it's no harm for everyone to start thinking about how screwed the people of this country are being, day in and day out. The more people start thinking the more of a chance that the people will make a difference.

i know some people would wish them to go away, but I'd rather have them there as a constant reminder, rather than for them to be brushed under the carpet and pretend we are not being screwed (just what our dear leaders would love).

Remember anemic eamon gilmore, (the most unconvincing speaker I think I've ever encountered) was no stranger to protesting himself - that was before the power hit him.

There's no danger of them achieving much. Let's face it, if there was then you can bet that the councillors would be up in arms baying for their removal. The very fact that they're still in Eyre Square 6 months on is the very indication that the politicians running the city don't see them as a threat of any kind and, in fact it probably benefits councillors who can readily cite how open to debate and conflicting view points they are because they have the longest running Occupy Camp in the country. Now, if the councillors even said a word to any of the guys there then I'd be surprised.

The only thing that these guys are making me think is that they're a mess. Multiple issues and goals with no common agenda. Frankly I think media and political parties have been more effective in making people think. We can no longer trust that what's shown on the 6 o'clock news is an unbiased presentation of a situation. It took foreign media to tell us what was going on in our own country when the IMF/ECB came to town. Political parties have various agendas and I think people are becoming more adept at reading between the lines there too. Given these two examples, I think the guys hanging around the square are doing very little by comparison.

Gingko

Woohoo! Occupy thread part 2! Tis heating up!!!

Their really not doing any harm ffs! Go to Greece or experience riots in Paris and you will see civil disturbance. Small fenced off cluster in the best part keeping to themselves with a warm welcome for anyone that drops in. I'm from the border originally and was used to regular rioting, petrol bombings, assassinations on all sides and well you name it and it was happening!

They do indeed help get people thinking which is no harm in an increasingly brainwashed monocultural society which is losing it's soul rapidly. I appreciate there are many ways to look at this but in truth I think it boils down to one's own personality type. I certainly don't label them as so called "crusties" or "lefties" as I met a broad spectrum of people at the Dublin group including sympathetic guards, solicitors etc. I'm not a member of the Occupy group by the way and there are interesting viewpoints from both sides.

the realpigiron

Good to see this thread back up and running. It is always healthy to have plenty of forums for debate.

fishy fishy

antoobrien wrote: »

I would argue the exact opposite. They rely on unsourced blogs for their "facts". Show them any documentary evidence to the contrary they dismiss it as propaganda. Actually show product of critical thinking and you're trying to subvert them.

It's my firm opinion that they don't want people thinking for themselves, they want sheep to follow them.

in reality a lot of what the govt are putting out IS propaganda, devious, and designed to put the fear into you. we NEED to have people who question their tactics. The good thing about have a protest is that it comes from the people - their OWN thinking - hence the massive protest in Galway a couple of weeks ago when they came out in their thousands. If I was to call anybody trying to get people "not to think for themsevles" it would the the ones who will make the most out of it. i.e. our dear leaders. They'd LOVE a country of sheeple.

fishy fishy

squonk wrote: »

There's no danger of them achieving much. Let's face it, if there was then you can bet that the councillors would be up in arms baying for their removal. The very fact that they're still in Eyre Square 6 months on is the very indication that the politicians running the city don't see them as a threat of any kind and, in fact it probably benefits councillors who can readily cite how open to debate and conflicting view points they are because they have the longest running Occupy Camp in the country. Now, if the councillors even said a word to any of the guys there then I'd be surprised.

The only thing that these guys are making me think is that they're a mess. Multiple issues and goals with no common agenda. Frankly I think media and political parties have been more effective in making people think. We can no longer trust that what's shown on the 6 o'clock news is an unbiased presentation of a situation. It took foreign media to tell us what was going on in our own country when the IMF/ECB came to town. Political parties have various agendas and I think people are becoming more adept at reading between the lines there too. Given these two examples, I think the guys hanging around the square are doing very little by comparison.

the guys hanging around the square are going with what they believe in. Fair play to them. They are not out to impress anyone - they are there on their own behalf. People can put them down, but its usually the people who want to be "spoonfed" what they should be thinking about. (not personal to your post). The occupy are not there to spoonfeed anybody, they are having a peaceful protest which anyone can join or leave whenever they like, its up to the individual - and long may it last.

All through time protesters have been put down, ridiculed, but the very same people are the very ones that will take anything that the protesters gain, by their very protest - not one of them will hand it back - no problem having someone else do the work for them.

fishy fishy

Congrats to the Vita Cortin protesters who staged a five month "sit in" re. their redundancy payments. It would never have happened without their protest.

Tym

I would argue the exact opposite. They rely on unsourced blogs for their "facts". Show them any documentary evidence to the contrary they dismiss it as propaganda. Actually show product of critical thinking and you're trying to subvert them.

It's my firm opinion that they don't want people thinking for themselves, they want sheep to follow them.

Definetly agree.

hence the massive protest in Galway a couple of weeks ago when they came out in their thousands.

The protest at the labour meeting in NUI Galway?
Yeah I think that was from people from all around the country, and I think it was only in their hundreds.

I personally don't like the propaganda aspect to the various left groups in Galway at the moment:S Walk down the streets and you'll see a collasal amount of posters that are propaganderish, rabble rousing or are incitory to violence. Some groups are even starting to use cartoons, which, in my opinion, create steorytypes and caricatures that are far easier to blame than actual living, breathing people.

Fair ****s to them for sticking it out this long, but I don't think they're really achieving anything, and I think it's slightly arragont for them to claim to be representing the 99%. I never asked them to set up camp, and I definitly don't believe in there political beliefs (the varied and inconsistent political beliefs that there are)

antoobrien

fishy fishy wrote: »

in reality a lot of what the govt are putting out IS propaganda

Records of government expenditure are propaganda now?

fishy fishy wrote: »

devious, and designed to put the fear into you. we NEED to have people who question their tactics.

I can't understand why the government don't come out and say that the banks have been paid less than €20 billion over the past few years. The figures are there, in black and white in the exchequer returns. The outstanding bonds are there on the NTMA website. There's no need to put fear into anybody - if you look at the figures (and have any bit of sense) it's scare the bejaysus out of you without Noonon point out the bleedin' obvious.

fishy fishy wrote: »

The good thing about have a protest is that it comes from the people - their OWN thinking - hence the massive protest in Galway a couple of weeks ago when they came out in their thousands. If I was to call anybody trying to get people "not to think for themsevles" it would the the ones who will make the most out of it. i.e. our dear leaders. They'd LOVE a country of sheeple.

O.G. don't want people to know this we pay out more to recipients of social welfare (JSA, childrens allowance, OAPs, medical cards, rent allowance etc), than we actually have paid to the banks over 4 years.

Red_Wake

Can everyone here state their connection (if any) to Occupy Galway?

I've no affiliation, and am bewildered by them. I'm also quite cynical of them, for the reasons other posters have stated.

fishy fishy

you got my thoughts. Your own thoughts are up to yourself....(or are they??)

fishy fishy

no affiliation, but I believe in the right to protest.

squonk

No affiliation. I believe in the right to protest too but I believe that protestors also have a responsibility to disperse once the point of the protest has been lost.

antoobrien

No affiliation to any political body (yes og is a political body).

squonk

antoobrien wrote: »

No affiliation to any political body (yes og is a political body).

No they're not! It'd help somewhat if they did form themselves into a political body and ran for office. They'd have a chance of achieving something that way at least.

antoobrien

squonk wrote: »

No they're not! It'd help somewhat if they did form themselves into a political body and ran for office. They'd have a chance of achieving something that way at least.

In spirit it not in name, they are a political entity

ben.schlomo

No affiliation to anything political.

I suggested it to OG people in the old thread about setting themselves up as a party and it was simply ignored.

Tym

No affiliation:P

No affiliation to any political body (yes og is a political body).

Hmmm, would they be a lobby group? It's kind of hard to tell what they are at this stage.

biko

I think the problem for OG and the other groups is that they want too much, too soon.
If the Occupy Ireland would have focused on a single issue or two it would have been easier to win respect and sympathy from the 99%

For instance had they just said "we'll sit here until the bankers and the golden circle are brought before a court to answer for what they did" then more people would be able to identify themselves with the OG demands.
Now it's just a big mess of demands and protests that are perceived as leftist and of no use, "you can't find the system" etc.
It's a shame really since it's always refreshing with protests, it's how a society evolves after all.

Gingko

biko wrote: »

I think the problem for OG and the other groups is that they want too much, too soon.
If the Occupy Ireland would have focused on a single issue or two it would have been easier to win respect and sympathy from the 99%

For instance had they just said "we'll sit here until the bankers and the golden circle are brought before a court to answer for what they did" then more people would be able to identify themselves with the OG demands.
Now it's just a big mess of demands and protests that are perceived as leftist and of no use, "you can't find the system" etc.
It's a shame really since it's always refreshing with protests, it's how a society evolves after all.

I think your on the ball here! Too much too soon and scattered! But I still sympathise with the group in general. Most of the Ideals are ethical and for the people and the planet. But yes perhaps one issue at a time?

No affiliation but most definitely warm to the ideals.