Thursday, November 3, 2011

99%? I don't think so ...

The Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock announces a Rally of "the 99% in Support of the Occupy Movement."

The following announcement showed up in my e-mailbox today. From the first sentence one would think that 99% of McHenry County supports the Occupy Movements around the country. Think that's so?

For sure, I do not. I think the Occupy Movements should be declared illegal and that those who refuse to disperse should be arrested after just one warning. You tell them to disperse, and then you start slapping on the handcuffs and drag them off to the pokey.

Look what is happening all over the country. A few unruly, (oh, okay, let's call them civil disobedients) are wreaking havoc on commerce and trade. So they want to thumb their noses at banks and mortgage bankers. So what? Read on... 


I'm sorry, but where that wording come from? "social justice"? "interconnectedness of humanity"? My political science classes were too long ago for me to remember the source of words like that, but I definitely don't like the creepy-crawly feeling up the back of my neck when I read them.


Who are "the 99%"? Certainly, 99% of the McHenry County population does not support the lawlessness exhibited by the Occupiers. At least, I hope not...
Woodstock—A Rally by the 99% of McHenry County in support of the Occupy Movement has been called by the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock for Tuesday, November 15 from 5 to 6:30 PM in front of the church at Dean and South Streets.
“The movement spawned by Occupy Wall Street is continuing into its second month undeterred by either harsh weather or police attacks on the spreading movement around the country.  In the spirit of a faith tradition rooted in social justice and committed to honoring the interconnectedness of humanity, we are offering our support,” said Patrick Murfin, coordinator of the event for the Committee.
“Unitarian Universalist Association President Peter Morales has urged us to live up to these values and across the country U.U. members, congregations, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and the Standing on the Side of Love movement have been active in the movement.”
The event is open to all members of the 99% who support the movement.
The Rally will also collect supplies urgently needed by Occupy Chicago as it moves into the winter months.  It will be the second collection made by the committee. 
Participants are asked to bring the following items to the rally, but not to drop them off at the church at other times:   Non perishable food, canned goods, can openers, tents, sleeping bags, blankets, hand warmers, camp or folding chairs, folding tables, water coolers, paper cups and plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, brooms and dustpan, garbage bags and cans, tarps, camping related goods, used Smartphones or pre-paid cell phones, used laptops,.  At this time clothing other than socks and gloves is not requested.

Items collected will be brought to the Occupy Chicago in the city.

For further information e-mail Patrick Murfin at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net or call 815 814-5645.

7 comments:

Gus said...

The following comment was received from a reader. Thanks for sending it!

"Rather than donate for the protesters -- people should make their donations to the food pantry. Give it to the people who are not protesting.
Yes, they have a right to free speech. However, with rights go
responsibilities. They are going too far."

bill Matteson said...

Wall Street and Take Back Chicago Protesters:
I am not to sure how many people know that these demonstrations are organized by the National People Action, sometimes known as "Rent a Mob"
and are mainly run by Ex Acorn people, and Unions that represent the protesters. These protesters claim they want their Fair shake , take a look at their retirement programs ,insurance and fringe benefits, the organizers of these protests have suckered good caring people into this demonstration only to protect their own income and benefits.
I believe that teachers ,firemen, policemen and city workers are entitled to good and fair pay, but not the exorbitant benefits that are given them and the union Leaders,
Protesting is an American way of life, in fact its almost Un-American not to protest. But we have to get it right and make sure that what we are protesting is real and not some other organizations hidden agenda.

Karen30036 said...

Oh puhleeze ... they're not going far enough. Rather than give to homeless or the food pantry, let's stop the reason for having the need for a food pantry and homeless.
Keep the people of this country too busy to fix the fence because they're too busy chasing the cows ... enough is enough.

Anonymous said...

Karen30036 is waaaaaaay to forward-think'n for me. Ya got a bunch of crooks pilferring & hoarding all the money in America, with the middle & lower classes get'n a few crumbs of opportunity here & there.
Personally, TMB is all for non-violent civil disobedience. I myself am disobedient everytime I drive my rustbucket down Lake Street with a fattie in one hand and a 40 ouncer in the other!
DOH!!!

Justin said...

IN any society there will be do nothings.There will be the parasites that find excuses not to work and want more. If you have a free food line, people will show up need it or not. Some people are need and try to rise above it. Some people make it a way of life.

Karen30036 said...

I've joined in on this protest and it was NOT a rent a mob ... just people from all walks, mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.

Here is why they're protesting ...
"You control our world.You've poisoned the air we breathe, contaminated the water we drink,and copyrighted the food we eat. We fight in your wars, die for your causes, and sacrifice our freedoms to protect you. You've liquidated our savings, destroyed our middle class and used our tax dollars to bailout your unending greed. We are slaves to your corporations, zombies to your airwaves, servants to your decadence. You've stolen our elections, assassinated our leaders and abolished our basic rights as human beings. You own our property, shipped away our jobs, and shredded our unions. You've profited off of disaster, destabilized our currencies, and raised our cost of living. You've monopolized our freedom, stripped
away our education,and have ALMOST extinguished our flame. We are hit. We are bleeding, but we ain't got time to bleed. We will bring the giants to their knees and you will witness OUR revolution.
NOW GET OUT OF THE WAY!

Ray said...

Occupy Wall Street was always about something much bigger than a movement against big banks and modern finance. It's about providing a forum for people to show how tired they are not just of Wall Street, but everything. This is a visceral, impassioned, deep-seated rejection of the entire direction of our society, a refusal to take even one more step forward into the shallow commercial abyss of phoniness, short-term calculation, withered idealism and intellectual bankruptcy that American mass society has become. If there is such a thing as going on strike from one's own culture, this is it. And by being so broad in scope and so elemental in its motivation, it's flown over the heads of many on both the right and the left.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/how-i-stopped-worrying-and-learned-to-love-the-ows-protests-20111110#ixzz1dPHIN5qh