I am sick and tired of the smearing of the Occupy protesters and liberals in general. Recently, here in Charlotte, NC, the Mayor (Democrat Anthony Foxx) has proposed an ordinance to restrict the OccupyCharlotte protests by making it illegal to camp on public property.
DNC-inspired ordinance could restrict Occupy protesters
The proposal comes as some cities are trying to evict "Occupy" protesters, including Oakland, Calif., where a protester was injured this week when police dispersed a crowd. In addition, Charlotte and Tampa, the host city for the Republican National Convention, are studying how to manage expected crowds and protests for next year's conventions.
As written, the draft ordinance deems camping on all city property a "public nuisance." Under the draft, it appears the Occupy Charlotte protest outside Old City Hall on Trade Street could continue during the day, though protesters wouldn't be allowed to pitch tents or sleep in the public space.
The ordinance says the city manager could make an exception, however. If passed, the City Council could lobby City Manager Curt Walton to grant an individual exemption, or it could pass the ordinance and set a deadline for the protesters to leave.
Mayor Anthony Foxx, a Democrat, said he was asking the city attorney's office for an analysis on whether the city could legally evict the Occupy Charlotte protesters with an ordinance passed after they began camping.
"I don't have a legal answer to that question yet," Foxx said.
For the DNC, Foxx said it's important to observe First Amendment rights, but his primary concern is that "the public health and safety be placed at a premium."
The local "conservatives" came out to comment in force on the Charlotte Observer website labelling the protesters as "miscreants", "vagrants", "homeless", "jobless" and worse.
More beyond the fold >>
I am alarmed by the "conservative" opposition to the Occupy protests. Not only are most of them part of the 99%, they are Americans. Many of the issues that the Occupy protesters are protesting are the EXACT issues that the Tea Party was protesting before they were co-opted by the Republican Party and I said as much:
When I hear all of this opposition to the Occupy movement... I realize that the conservative opposition equates to the opposition to American independence that was voiced by British loyalists. We are all Americans... I don't see any good reason why anyone in the general public should be opposed to what the Occupy movement is doing... it's not like the Tea Party that was largely funded and co-opted by the Robber Barons of our time.
In particular, a response to that comment made me incensed.
By James Chandler
First, it is a mystery how opposition by the DNC, THE liberal party in this country, to vagrants masquerading as protesters somehow equates to "conservative opposition." Second, if you believe "conservative opposition equates to the opposition to American independence that was voiced by British loyalists," then you are either completely ignorant of what it means to be conservative or you are being intellectually dishonest. Your interpretation of conservatism and the tea party is exactly what the DNC, the unions, and the MSM want you to believe, not the truth. Conservatives do not support crony capitalism or bailouts. They do support individual rights and the right to free speech. However, the Occupy protests have had ample time and opportunity to send their message, or lack thereof. Now, it is no longer an issue of free speech, it is about a hostile takeover of public property and an attempt to usurp the government itself.
I posted this response that I wanted to share with the DailyKos community and the Tea Party lurkers who read diaries here.
You misread the article. The DNC = Democratic National Convention. It is not the party... it is the convention committee.
I am fully aware of what conservatives and the Tea Party represent and support. I have attended quite a few Tea Party events and read quite a bit of literature in addition to seeing a multitude of comments and blog posts concerning your "platform". On it's face, someone like me can see common causes and beliefs... The devil is in the details.
Here is what you support... crony capitalism, corporate takeover of the government and enslavement of our society by corporate power. You will deny this with your left hand and vote for it with your right hand. You are sheep led by wolves. You are enablers.
Here is why I say that.
You vote for Republicans who would restrict regulation of large corporations... a perfect example is Dodd-Frank. A bill that goes a long way toward preventing banks from gambling with depositor money, prevent bailouts and ends "to big to fail" along with many other things.
You vote for Republicans who would give even more money to the wealthy who already receive more than twice the amount of subsidies annually as the entire cost of medicaid and medicare put together. $1.2 Trillion per year. A group that already earns nearly 1 out of every 5 dollars earned.
You vote for Republicans who created more than 70% of the debt and claim that it was created by Democrats and welfare when that is false. The reality is that the great majority of the $14 Trillion in debt has gone to the wealthy who control the energy sector, financial sector, military industrial complex and hundreds of other industries.
You vote for Republicans who have enabled the greatest wealth disparity in 70 years as the wealthy have seen a 300%+ growth in wealth as more and more people fall into poverty. Trickle down is a lie and the proof is all around you. The wealthy don't create jobs... they stifle new business through monopoly and enslave our nation. A small business person has little chance of winning a competition with a multi-national corporation who exploits government influence, cheap overseas labor and American consumerism. That isn't capitalism... it's fascism.You say you are for free speech while smearing the Occupy protesters as "vagrants". You don't live on the high road, my friend. You live in a world of slave mentality by enabling your corporate masters.
I would urge my fellow Americans who call themselves "conservatives" to do some research... prove what I am saying wrong. I dare you.