[goomba]

Permit to protest is that what it has come to?

[Fatghost]

OP should have had the bum arrested.

[Zebra]

He then said he would make it 'worth my while' if I did agree to finance his exploits, as he licked the bus pole, so nonchalantly oblivious to all the bacteria accumulated within a day's worth of use.

:|

As if I weren't afraid enough to touch bus poles already.

[adamsappel]

He said it's usually union related stuff.

Is he in a union that does this stuff? I've lived in DC, and I'm skeptical that it happens, because why would you want smelly, crazy homeless people in your crowd? If they aren't performing a function worth paying for (voting, saving a space in line, distributing leaflets), you're better off not having them there, being smelly and crazy. You might not turn them away or chase them off, but it seems a waste of funds to pay them to attend, particularly in any substantial numbers. What is the point?

[Jim E. Rossler]

Anytime you're accosted by Jehovah's witness's, crazy protesters, someone who wont get out of your face, you just gotta tell it to them straight in a loud voice so everyone can hear:

"I do not give a fuck today
So fuck right off, and go away

I do not give a fuck you dope
Accept this fact, and learn to cope

I do not give a fuck you see
So go away, and let me be"

There's nothing they can really do but hold their head down in shame if someone says that to them.

[Apeopleman]

Basically he said " blah blah you got a job i dont you're a jerk blah blah"

Seems like a typical OWS-er to me

[Karsticles]

Now, come on now Common. Be honest. Is that really the dialogue that was exchanged?

As a previous government employee, I completely believe it. Activism draws out tons of loons.

And that was the first time I'd met such a hostile homeless man.

My first time coming to Chicago my wife and I were waiting for a bus to come by when a guy asked us for money. I always say "No, thank you", and his response was "I HOPE YOU LOSE YOUR FUCKING HOME!" My wife said "We don't own a home", and he called her a "bitch" and walked off. Most of the beggars around here are nicer, though. I get hit up any day I walk anywhere but campus.

omg y u lying too?? I'm shocked that people can't accept that this anecdote might be true. If this were a tea party thread and someone posted a similar story that fit in the "tea partiers are racist" meme, it would be one big circle jerk in here.

No doubt. GAF will be GAF.

Permit to protest is that what it has come to?

It's a great thing, by the way.

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

Now go back in this suit and demand satisfaction.

[Megalodactyl]

Yeah, you had a conversation with a crazy person.

[jorma]

As a previous government employee, I completely believe it. Activism draws out tons of loons.

How does your status as an ex government employee give you special insight compared to anyone else?
It's not meant as an indictment, i'm just curious.

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

People protest the Government by doing it outside Government buildings, so someone who works for them probably see's more protests than the usual person.

[Karsticles]

How does your status as an ex government employee give you special insight compared to anyone else? It's not meant as an indictment, i'm just curious.

I worked for the MI legislature, for a leadership office. I dealt with constituent activists on a daily basis. I've spent more hours of my life being screamed at for things I'm not responsible for or could possibly change than I care to remember. Your average person is a nasty, angry creature.

I've had people break down crying to me about government conspiracies and their fear of being assassinated. I've had people yell at me for not representing them in court. I've had people yell at me for not arresting their neighbors or evicting them from their homes. I've heard the "are YOU going to give me a job at your office" line so many times, as well as claims that we (as in our office) should pay their mortgage bills because "we" caused the economic recession.

Those are the nasty cases, but there are also a fuck-ton of weirdos out there, like a guy who is a woman trapped in a man's body and refers to him/herself as "we", people from mental institutions (now released) ranting about their delusions, and the guy who wanted a research grant to make a machine that can "freeze air", which would solve all of the world's energy problems.

I'm not even trying to think things up here. There's at least one person of the OP's quality that I dealt with on a weekly basis, and at least one a day during budget season.

[jorma]

I worked for the MI legislature, for a leadership office. I dealt with constituent activists on a daily basis. I've spent more hours of my life being screamed at for things I'm not responsible for or could possibly change than I care to remember. Your average person is a nasty, angry creature. I'm not even trying to think things up here. There's at least one person of the OP's quality that I dealt with on a weekly basis, and at least one a day during budget season.

Fair enough, even though i would hesitate to label the people you talked to as "the average person", it sounds much like asking someone who works in a drug rehab what the average drug user is like :P

[Slavik81]

My first time coming to Chicago my wife and I were waiting for a bus to come by when a guy asked us for money. I always say "No, thank you", and his response was "I HOPE YOU LOSE YOUR FUCKING HOME!" My wife said "We don't own a home", and he called her a "bitch" and walked off. Most of the beggars around here are nicer, though. I get hit up any day I walk anywhere but campus.

Why do you say "No, thank you" when they ask you for a favour? What are you thanking them for? Usually I say "No, sorry."

[Megalodactyl]

Why do you say "No, thank you" when they ask you for a favour? What are you thanking them for? Usually I say "No, sorry."

Yeah that makes no sense.

[remnant]

Every country has a lot of dumb people. America included. Just look at the Tea Party, Right Wingers etc as well. Crazy on the left and right (though I'd argue there's considerably more on the Right). Hell, a big portion of the country thinks Obama is a Muslim... Using this to generalise is completely idiotic. As are these comments about OWS being comprised of a bunch of no job hippies. It's factually incorrect and makes you sound stupid and ignorant, ironic really.

I love to sing-a
About the moon-a and the June-a and the spring-a,
I love to sing-a,
About a sky of blue-a, or a tea for two-a

it's interesting to note how many people refuse to believe this. OP should have traded OWS with tea partier. Would have been interesting to see that thread.

[Sh1ner]

I believe it. Went to a Zietgeist meeting in my area expecting something that involved of spreading the word and speaking of the social and technical aspects of movement to an RBE. I was curious. What I found was 3 people that believed in spiritual power and were wickens of a new age sort. They wanted to push their neo religion onto other members.
One person who had no idea why he was there and just wanted to be in the "cool crowd"
Another a conspiracy theorist.
Only 3 others that tried to push spreading the word agenda. I went back 6 months later and sure enough the nuttys were still there and they called everyone sheeple. Nothing pisses me off more than acting like your one of the "awake people" and insulting the rest by calling them blind followers. How is that going to win anyone over?

I haven't been back since.

edit: I also forgot to mention the wickens thought they could steer the conversation into converting others to their spiritual religion concept using some kind of object they passed between themselves when one of them spoke. Craziest shit ever especially when I kicked off about why we were here and why we weren't.

[DarkFlow]

I mean, I get it, people are pissed I'm cool with the protest even though it isn't my thing...but this is getting out of hand now. Most of you know a few members of the OWS group in Cleveland were arrested for attempting to blow up a bridge in Cleveland. Well, they use to have a permit to protest pretty much directly under my office building downtown which was just revoked because of the issue outlined in this paragraph. I walked out on public square downtown at 10am today to get some air and check out the casino's new sign when out of nowhere this 20'ish clown wearing a shirt that said "fuck your job" and signs of not showering in a month walks up to me and we have the following discussion; Dude "Hey suit, SUIT, SUIT, asshole, SUIT, listen to me" Me "I heard you the first time, what seems to be the problem?" Dude "You guys man, you fucking corporate pigdog conservative shitheads" Me "Why would you assume I'm conservative?" Dude "Oh wait, you're the token black guy, *starts laughing, you fucking loser. Why don't you go tell your bosses to grow some balls and come out here and fucking tell ME why I can't have a job at your company" Me "Well, I'm the boss, and my company does electrical engineering, are you an engineer?" Dude "Why THE FUCK DOES THAT MATTER YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE? ANSWER MY QUESTION" Me "I did" Dude "SEE PEOPLE YOU SEE THE EVIL IN THIS COUNTRY? THIS GUY JUST CALLED ME A FUCKING LOSER!" Me "I what? Ok, we're done here" Dude "We WILL NEVER BE DONE. NEVER BE DONE. NEVER BE DONE" *he attempted to start a chant but was ignored by all except a cop. Cop "Sir is this man harassing you?" Me "No, he's just feisty" Dude "Hey COP, fuck off, this is a man's conversation" Cop "Sir, please step over here, your permit to protest was revoked last week" Dude "NEVER BE DONE, Come on people" Sigh....Just a small bit of advice for people who want to exercise your right to protest. Protest the cause with civility and class. Don't do what this fella did, it just ruins your credibility.

Did you tell him to pull himself up by his boot straps?

[CommonSense]

Did you tell him to pull himself up by his boot straps?

Nah...wasn't applicable in this case. The man already had passion for what he doing. As a guy who did some marching in his time, I admire that. I just think his methods were incorrect.


I do love how some of GAF puts me in the bad guy bucket despite the fact I can assure them I have participated in more protests than most. Which is why I wrote that initial post....read the last part again. Solidarity of cause and a peaceful but strong stance is how you get things done. Dr. King showed us all this, why do we forget?

I guess to put it simply...if I came to your house dressed nicely and treated you like a man while I explained that my area of the city needed money for better schools and more police protection not inspections wouldn't you give me more time than if me and six dudes dressed like thugs screamed at and demeaned you while you got in your car for work?

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Is he in a union that does this stuff? I've lived in DC, and I'm skeptical that it happens, because why would you want smelly, crazy homeless people in your crowd? If they aren't performing a function worth paying for (voting, saving a space in line, distributing leaflets), you're better off not having them there, being smelly and crazy. You might not turn them away or chase them off, but it seems a waste of funds to pay them to attend, particularly in any substantial numbers. What is the point?

No, just based on observations. From what I understand it's things like leaflets and holding up signs. From what I gather they often use food as payment, a couple of bucks, so the cost isnt that huge. The numbers are often small to begin with, so this is just to attract some attention (total numbes tend to be 10-30).

Oh anyone see Travisbickle two completely contradictory posts, the first saying nothing happened and the second berating the OP for saying something.

[CommonSense]

No, just based on observations. From what I understand it's things like leaflets and holding up signs. From what I gather they often use food as payment, a couple of bucks, so the cost isnt that huge. The numbers are often small to begin with, so this is just to attract some attention (total numbes tend to be 10-30). Oh anyone see Travisbickle two completely contradictory posts, the first saying nothing happened and the second berating the OP for saying something.

I appreciate that but this is the internet and one knows what one gets into when you post these type of things. I am sure guy is trying to take a side here. No big deal.

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

I appreciate that but this is the internet and one knows what one gets into when you post these type of things. I am sure guy is trying to take a side here. No big deal.

Sure thing, but the way he switched just like one turns a light on and off is quite hillarious and shows him to be a total hypocrite. It's worth letting others know for future times when he posts.

[CommonSense]

Sure thing, but the way he switched just like one turns a light on and off is quite hillarious and shows him to be a total hypocrite. It's worth letting othewhors know for future times when he posts.

Youth is often manifested in these ways. I was once an angry man who spit into the wind. Now I am a father who believes in the power of speech and tolerance.

Age has a way of dulling the blade :-)

Edit: Showed my wife this post and she berated me for not trying to calm the guy down yesterday. I still have a lot to work on ha ha.

[Kong Fisso]

Once, a homeless man wanted me to sell him a butcher's knife so he could kill a suit, who'd told him to "get a job" earlier. Poor guy was in tears.

[Sentry]

I mean, I get it, people are pissed I'm cool with the protest even though it isn't my thing...but this is getting out of hand now. Most of you know a few members of the OWS group in Cleveland were arrested for attempting to blow up a bridge in Cleveland. Well, they use to have a permit to protest pretty much directly under my office building downtown which was just revoked because of the issue outlined in this paragraph. I walked out on public square downtown at 10am today to get some air and check out the casino's new sign when out of nowhere this 20'ish clown wearing a shirt that said "fuck your job" and signs of not showering in a month walks up to me and we have the following discussion; Dude "Hey suit, SUIT, SUIT, asshole, SUIT, listen to me" Me "I heard you the first time, what seems to be the problem?" Dude "You guys man, you fucking corporate pigdog conservative shitheads" Me "Why would you assume I'm conservative?" Dude "Oh wait, you're the token black guy, *starts laughing, you fucking loser. Why don't you go tell your bosses to grow some balls and come out here and fucking tell ME why I can't have a job at your company" Me "Well, I'm the boss, and my company does electrical engineering, are you an engineer?" Dude "Why THE FUCK DOES THAT MATTER YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE? ANSWER MY QUESTION" Me "I did" Dude "SEE PEOPLE YOU SEE THE EVIL IN THIS COUNTRY? THIS GUY JUST CALLED ME A FUCKING LOSER!" Me "I what? Ok, we're done here" Dude "We WILL NEVER BE DONE. NEVER BE DONE. NEVER BE DONE" *he attempted to start a chant but was ignored by all except a cop. Cop "Sir is this man harassing you?" Me "No, he's just feisty" Dude "Hey COP, fuck off, this is a man's conversation" Cop "Sir, please step over here, your permit to protest was revoked last week" Dude "NEVER BE DONE, Come on people" Sigh....Just a small bit of advice for people who want to exercise your right to protest. Protest the cause with civility and class. Don't do what this fella did, it just ruins your credibility.

It's amazing how you remembered the entire conversation word for word. Your memory is superb, congratulations.

[CommonSense]

It's amazing how you remembered the entire conversation word for word. Your memory is superb, congratulations.

See...this is where you focus on the wrong part. I am telling you approach people with class and they will listen.

[CommonSense]

Once, a homeless m an wanted me to sell him a lethal weapon so he could kill a suit, who'd told him to "get a job" earlier. Poor guy was in tears.

I wouldn't dare lie to you and say my world isn't chock full of assholes who use their job as a crutch while try pump up their ego by insulting those less fortunate than them. It happens every day and I hate it.

[TheSeks]

See...this is where you focus on the wrong part. I am telling you approach people with class and they will listen.

Yeah. I think this would help the protestors more than a suit would.

Issue with OWS (is this even going on anymore?) is the fact they never had a coherent message and the attempts to get one was splintered by the "leaders" of each different area.

[CommonSense]

Yeah. I think this would help the protestors more than a suit would. Issue with OWS (is this even going on anymore?) is the fact they never had a coherent message and the attempts to get one was splintered by the "leaders" of each different area.

Well it if funny how they attacked business for being. corrupt when they display the same mannerisms...yes

[jorma]

Well it if funny how they attacked business for being. corrupt when they display the same mannerisms...yes

wat?

[CommonSense]

wat?

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

[Kong Fisso]

I wouldn't dare lie to you and say my world isn't chock full of assholes who use their job as a crutch while try pump up their ego by insulting those less fortunate than them. It happens every day and I hate it.

It was just sad. There's no reason to insult a guy living on the street like that, and while assaulting the asshole with a butcher's knife is a bit much, a kick in the balls would be warranted.

And you wanna know the worst part? The homeless guy HAD a job. He was part of a programme that has homeless people selling papers and keeping some of the money for themselves. That's why he approached the suit in the first place.

In my shop, the knives are out in the open. The homeless guy went straight over and started gripping the handle of a big ass knife, asking how much, swinging it through the air and so on. That shit was creepy but luckily I convinced him to get it together and not murder anyone that day.

[jorma]

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Yeah, but how does that relate to OWS?

[CommonSense]

Yeah, but how does that relate to OWS?

They became segmented because they had too many captains and not enough soldiers. Local Occupies like Cleveland were not protesting the same thing as their brothers.

[Frank "Trashman" Reynolds]

You just experienced the Occupy Wallstreet movement. Bunch of losers with no intent on bettering their lives and blaming everyone else for it. If that wasn't the case they would have something better to do besides living on the streets for the last year, smelling like shit, and being fucking loons. Like actively trying to find a job instead of complaining they don't have one.

[TheSeks]

They became segmented because they had too many captains and not enough soldiers. Local Occupies like Cleveland were not protesting the same thing as their brothers.

Exactly. And it's mostly the reason their protest failed. They had no central reason for protesting other than "suits are bad... mmmm'kay."

[jorma]

They became segmented because they had too many captains and not enough soldiers. Local Occupies like Cleveland were not protesting the same thing as their brothers.

That's the exact opposite of what theseks suggested. And it does seem like a lack of leadership fragments and splinters the message. But there is no description of corruption here, just the suggestion that everyone does not have the same solution to the perceived problem.

How does this relate to the accusations of a corrupt corporate america where their lobbyists have direct access to the legislators they paid for. That's not even remotely the same thing.

[24FrameDaVinci]

Either you are the suavest motherfucker in America or an Oscar-caliber writer for coming up with that dialogue exchange.

Can't be both.

[nib95]

Still amused at the fact that the OP thinks people on the left "have never accomplished anything remotely close to their conservative counterparts".

Are many of the anti-OWS types on this forum always so misinformed about stuff? Many certainly are about OWS itself lol.

[travisbickle]

Exactly. And it's mostly the reason their protest failed. They had no central reason for protesting other than "suits are bad... mmmm'kay."

You think there is no reason to protest?

[RJT]

Either you are the suavest motherfucker in America or an Oscar-caliber writer for coming up with that dialogue exchange. Can't be both.

This. OP behaved like a boss. Being a boss probably helps...

[WrikaWrek]

Yeah, that's the problem with protest. There are always a couple of assholes who ruin it for everybody.

[CommonSense]

Still amused at the fact that the OP thinks people on the left "have never accomplished anything remotely close to their conservative counterparts". Are many of the anti-OWS types on this forum always so misinformed about stuff? Many certainly are about OWS itself lol.

Man you couldn't be more incorrect. I was using the talking points of both groups against them. Repost my message and retract your ignorant statement.

Some GAF just plain shut their eyes and scream like spoiled children....

[nib95]

Man you couldn't be more incorrect. I was using the talking points of both groups against them. Repost my message and retract your ignorant statement. Some GAF just plain shut their eyes and scream like spoiled children....

If you were merely expanding on a point made by extreme Conservatives I apologise. I misunderstood your post.

On a side note, following on from your earlier extreme point (from the left), DO Republicans commit more tax evasion/avoidance than Democrats? I'd be curious to know if any such studies have been done.

[CommonSense]

No problem. And yes conservatives are typically more willing to utilize a litany of of holes in our tax system of which who's legality is questionable at best.

Simply google search republican tax evasion or review the Bush's terms in office for information.

[Sentry]

Issue with OWS (is this even going on anymore?) is the fact they never had a coherent message and the attempts to get one was splintered by the "leaders" of each different area.

"We are the 99%" isn't coherent? Sure, on specific issues and what bills to support/go against, some of them have no clue on those details. At the same time though, many OWS people are very knowledgable.

[CommonSense]

"We are the 99%" isn't coherent? Sure, on specific issues and what bills to support/go against, some of them have no clue on those details. At the same time though, many OWS people are very knowledgable.

I would ask what this 99% is attempting to do specifically? And I would get 99 different answers.

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

You think there is no reason to protest?

Travis so is OP still lying or now just offensive to this poor "victim?" Which story are you going with?

[Karsticles]

Fair enough, even though i would hesitate to label the people you talked to as "the average person", it sounds much like asking someone who works in a drug rehab what the average drug user is like :P

I think voters are the average person. It's difficult to think how they might not be. I think, rather than thinking that I am not talking to the average person, it makes more sense to understand that most normal-seeming people are very messed up individuals. A perfect example: the women I mentioned as having fears about a government conspiracy to assassinate her? She works at the DMV at a regular 9-5 job. You'd never know it if you met her that she calls and breaks down crying to her legislator about people spying on her from the bushes in her back yard.

Why do you say "No, thank you" when they ask you for a favour? What are you thanking them for? Usually I say "No, sorry."

Well, first of all, "sorry" is an apology for something. It makes sense to say "sorry" when you might wish that it could be otherwise. An example: I am backing my car out of your driveway and accidentally crush your bike. You understandably get upset with me, and I say "I am so sorry about that". My apology also contains within it the implication that there is a grievance I am willing to correct. In this instance, if you say "I want you to pay for my bike you just ruined", if I say "No way!", it is contradictory with having said that I am sorry. If I am truly apologetic for my action, I ought to be accepting of a reasonable remedy to the grievance I caused.

I have no desire to give money to beggars, therefore it makes no sense for me to say "sorry" to them. It makes even less sense when colleges send letters that say "we regret to inform you..." - really, you regret it? Wonderful! Here I am, willing to let you remedy your regret by accepting me to your school, you lucky fools!

Now, as to why I say "thank you": I consider generosity to be a virtue. I think most people here would agree with me that to be generous is a good thing. Therefore, when someone asks me for something, I consider them to be saying "Here is an opportunity for you to be generous toward me - I am giving you a chance to be virtuous". In response to their request for generosity, I am declining. Therefore, it makes good sense to say "I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to be generous, but I am not interest", or, in short, "No, thank you."

[shanshan310]

lol you're the token black guy right?

lol, what did that even MEAN?