I wanted to write about something amusing today but got sidetracked by a number of posts coming up on G+ about the Wall Street protests. So, instead, I have pulled together some information:

Glenn Greenwald on Salon about the condescension towards the protesters.

The Guardian about the arrests of 500+ protesters on the Brooklyn Bridge.

In connection with the protests, there have been questions about the docility of Americans, first: Howard Zinn said they are too docile:

“ Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience. Our problem is that people all over the world have obeyed the dictates of leaders…and millions have been killed because of this obedience…Our problem is that people are obedient all over the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity, and war, and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves… (and) the grand thieves are running the country. That’s our problem.”

 And Paul Nevins writes about the topic in Salon.    It is a long article, but worth reading. A few major points from one of the last paragraphs:

          “Sadly, this myth of the self-made man – with its  emphasis on the importance of individual action and responsibility – has instilled within the American psyche a sense of social isolation and disconnectedness that makes it virtually impossible for many Americans to comprehend the importance and effectiveness of collective action when needed to pursue common goals. Unlike the French, who in addition to the idea of liberty, have embraced the values of equality and fraternity, the latter two concepts remain utterly alien to this country’s political vocabulary. “

  This image was shared this afternoon by Michael Mozart who is widely followed on Google+ and covering the Wallstreet occupation closely.

I have not been able to find any further information about such intimidation. However, the fact that the american media are obviously very reluctant to report about this, and we know what kind of pressure is brought to bear on employees “team player”, “taking one for the team”, “loyalty” etc. I can fully believe that this young man was sincere.

If you are looking for current information, you can find it at “Occupy Wall Street”, or at Inside the Wall Street Protests, because you certainly won’t find it in the national media:

 

CNN on Sun. Oct.2nd 2011 – no mention of anything at all on the US Page – nothing to see her folks, move along.

At least FOX News has an insert “below the fold” of the arrests-

To get halfway decent reporting about this you will probably need to go to The Guardian. I am sorry to say that Austrian papers are also ignoring this.

 

 

 

Update: there are some interesting interviews with Chris Hedges about the occupation here.

 

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