A fundamental American right
Russ Morgan - Emporia Gazette
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday marked the 24th day of protests for Occupy Wall Street, a movement that started in New York City and has spread from city to city over the past month. Protesters have gathered daily in cities across the country, from New York to Washington D.C. to Chicago and on west to bring to the world’s attention a growing dissatisfaction with the state of the modern world.
Though the movement is largely disparate and proudly disorganized, it has continued to grow and shows no signs of abating.
Opinions among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle became apparent after the weekend’s news cycle. Democrats largely are supportive of the protests, while campaigners for the Republican presidential nomination like Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich have gone on record declaring the protests “anti-capitalist” and “anti-American.”
The movement began with a group of people hoping to call attention to the shifting of wealth from the American middle class to a small group of the wealthy. Since then it has come to represent a call for elected representatives to keep the needs of the people in mind, and avoid the influences of special interests and lobbyists. While certain fringe elements have garnered media attention, the message of the protests has been made clear.
This is the message: Agree or disagree. But to have the freedom to take to the streets to call for change — what could be more American? Throughout this country the right to protest freely has been a hallmark of the American way. From the beginnings of the United States, through abolition, a civil war, the suffragist movement, civil rights, women’s liberation, anti-war protests — it’s a way of life for those of us lucky enough to freely exercise the right to protest. And as we’ve seen throughout the Arab spring, the American hallmark is an influence to the rest of the world.
The beauty of celebrating our freedom of expression is that Americans can take to the streets without fear of bloody retribution from tyrants, without being intimidated by those in power. Tea Party advocates know that, as did members of the original band of rebels at Boston Harbor.
No matter what the politics are, the recent protests are an example of the fundamental beauty of being American. They demonstrate that, no matter what the cause, we as Americans have a voice, and when the conditions are right, that voice will be heard.
Russ Morgan
Reporter
sail (anonymous) says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ042H...
October 11, 2011 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Wonder how the debates tonight will cover this issue tonight ,no wonder the demms support this protest,its seems to be a cry for more taxs and socialism.
October 11, 2011 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
The protest is not about more taxes and socialism, Tea Party members have even joined it's ranks. the protestors don't care about party affiliation. The left is trying to make this their Tea Party movement, which disgusts me. Give me a break Sail, you smarter than this.
October 11, 2011 at 5:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
And now for the rest of the story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkfi5T...
October 11, 2011 at 9:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
This video lays it all out about the protest on Wall Street.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3oWsk...
October 11, 2011 at 9:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Nightly news blitz with Alex Jones. The story behind the news.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzAIDe...
October 11, 2011 at 9:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.lewrockwell.com/rounds/rou...
October 11, 2011 at 10:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Wall Street Solution.
http://nation.foxnews.com/newt-gingri...
October 11, 2011 at 10:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Federal Reserve Solution.
http://www.2012presidentialelectionne...
October 11, 2011 at 11:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
I get it now, KB is failing at Real Estate so these loons are paying him to post this crap.
October 11, 2011 at 11:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Occupy Wall Street.
http://www.gcnlive.com/wp/2011/10/03/...
October 12, 2011 at 5:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
A good one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezcng7...
October 12, 2011 at 5:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.infowars.com/occupy-wall-s...
October 12, 2011 at 5:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.infowars.com/occupy-wall-s...
October 12, 2011 at 5:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Must be paying him in " Hooch " !
October 12, 2011 at 6:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Nicely stated Russ Morgan.
It might be easy to dismiss this movement as disorganized etc. etc. But the overall right to protest and demonstrate is just one thing that makes this country so great.
I wonder, though, how do Russ and others on here feel about extolling that right to the Phelps klan in Topeka?
October 12, 2011 at 7:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
I give the same protection to the Phelps but with a finger down my throat......the clip below shows an attitude that should strike a tid bit of fear as to what is happening to the country.
October 12, 2011 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
http://pajamasmedia.com/tatler/2011/1...
October 12, 2011 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I have always thought that Phelps problem was that the Bar Association won't let him practice law, so he has spent his entire life making a mockery of the law clear up to the Supreme Court.
October 12, 2011 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Someday we will discover that some well known Foundation is backing Fred Phelps. Who pays for all these trips across America?
October 12, 2011 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EmporiaRocks (anonymous) says...
What a lot of people don’t realize is that when Phelps was practicing law, he actually did some really good things. Brown vs. the BOE. He was responsible for doing away with most of the Jim Crow laws in the state and nation.
I agree with reddog [OMG]...I too feel that Phelps’ true mission is revenge on the Bar and the courts for yanking his license.
October 12, 2011 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
I also think he is a latent homosexual who is fighting a VERY INTENSE inner struggle.
October 12, 2011 at 5:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://library.thinkquest.org/J011239...
October 12, 2011 at 6:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
EmporiaRocks thanks for the information, it was just a hunch on my part and now it all makes sense. Maybe if he would just quit protesting, they would give his license back and put him in the hall of fame or hall of shame.
October 12, 2011 at 6:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Here is the real story on the protesters--very interesting.
http://prisonplanet.tv/news/live_nnew...
October 12, 2011 at 10:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
"The top 1 per cent have the best houses, the best educations, the best doctors, and the best lifestyles, but there is one thing that money doesn't seem to have bought: an understanding that their fate is bound up with how the other 99 per cent live Throughout history, this is something that the top 1 per cent eventually do learn. Too Late."
October 14, 2011 at 1:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
And our president involves our country in yet another war !
http://news.yahoo.com/us-ventures-blo...
Vote Ron Paul in 2012 and bring our troops home.
October 15, 2011 at 12:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Richie (anonymous) says...
In 2012, vote for President Obama. The reason for this economic turmoil is because Congressional Republicans deregulated the financial world a decade ago. Yes, Obama bailed them out. However, he knew that without such action, the country would fall into recession. (Because every sector of the economy has become dependent upon the big banks and companies.) Hello? Wake up! And, quit watching FOX News.
October 16, 2011 at 8:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Richie (anonymous) says...
Want to re-regulate the 1%? Then, vote for Obama and the Democrats.
October 16, 2011 at 8:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Richie (anonymous) says...
If you and your spouse earn less than $1M per year, you have nothing to worry about. I'd like to know WHO in eTown earns more than that.
October 16, 2011 at 8:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Supposedly there are 80 millionaires in Emporia. Probably only 1 or 2 earning that per year.
But the median income for a family was $41,571.
About 12.4% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line.
I think they be worrying, no matter who is running things.
October 16, 2011 at 8:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Richie (anonymous) says...
Interesting, is it not, how Cain, Romney and Bachmann have fired up the Republicans? Sorry to say, but these three will not win the support of the GOP base. The GOP base expects a WASP heterosexual male at the top of the ticket. The GOP cannot accept these "other" players, and will not support them. Sorry, but let's call out bigotry as it is. I await a third party candidate to come along and court the bigots. Then, the GOP will be divided and the Democrats will win. Sorry, but that's the truth.
October 16, 2011 at 9:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Richie,
Kinda painting the GOP with a broad brush aren't we? I think there is enough blame for both parties. Actually the blame for our economic mess really falls on we the people and our sense of entitlement. And the laziness when it comes to election time.
FOX news? Now that's funny right there.
I get all my news from John Stewart, now there's a show. :>)
October 16, 2011 at 9:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
If your really interested in whats going on in government circles and why what is happening in this Country of ours, because of our President and Congress, then watch the only mostly unbiased programs on T.V. today . In my opinion C-Span and C-Span II are the only two mostly unbiased, real information and live action programs on the " Boob Tube " today !
AAJMO
October 17, 2011 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Richie, how would you feel if a demm proposed spending reductions as in the post attached?
October 17, 2011 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/...
October 17, 2011 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
The oman is the problem
October 17, 2011 at 9:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Richie (anonymous) says...
I work for Corporate America. I love my job and my employer. In fact, we are adding headcount like you wouldn't believe (we're a dot.com). At the same time, I am challenged by the "ol' boy network" of Corporate America (not in my company). Here in San Francisco, I look down from my office window to see the large parade of protestors. I support them, unlike the banks and financiers. America needs an even playing field. Put the regulations back into play. That's our way out of this mess.
October 17, 2011 at 10:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )