How do you feel about Occupy Wall Street?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That's exactly what they are about. Every single sob story on that web site is "woe is me, I'm in debt, I have no job, gov't come save me".

And here I thought these folks were voicing their concern and opposition to the US having devolved into a Banana Republic.

[Fandango 1,439]

How can you honestly say that? Seriously, how can you say that two pictures juxtaposed for judgement, one posting the dregs of a group and one showing the best of another is indicative? It's disingenuous. I realize you're a tea party person and sticking up for your own here, but come on Lisa, at least be honest.

So the first amendment only applies to speech that you deem nice?

Right, so that is what the protests are about? Save us all from our shitty decisions? You should read up on what the protests are about.

Look, all I can tell you is what I read. I've never once read an article about the Tea Partiers creating santitation problems with their protests. If you have, let me know. I did go to a rally here in Orlando on 4/15/09, and I have to say what *I* got from it was that it was a respectful protest. Sure, people were mad as he'll, pushed to their limits just like how these people may feel. But there was respect, and a respect for our flag and country. Does that happen at every TP rally? Who knows? But it happened at that one, and I can say that with full certainty because I was there.

What I see from those pictures doesn't impress me. There very well may be respectful people there, and I'm inclined to believe that not everyone is shitting on police cars. But that pict proved it happened. Because I'm not there, I will give some leeway and not tar the whole protest, but it is certainly getting out of hand, and I don't like what I see and read about the conditions there.

What I also don't respect is the overall message, and whether it's been bastardized along the way very well may be a possibility as well. A realtor losing commission, students having issues with the very loans they agreed to, people losing their homes, etc. Its all very sd, but I do believe in a certain level of personal responsibility here.

I work in an industry where every single day, I help people out of the situations thei bad choices put them in. It's all well and good to blame the 'big evil banks', but no one held a gun to anyones head to force them to take a 100% ARM. The banks didn't force anyone to buy big screen TVs and iPhones, and new cars when they couldn't pay their mortgages. And now, I've seen houses where the sellers have lost their homes, and because they're bitter, they take a sledgehammer to every inch of the house before they leave. Every floor tile cracked, granit countertops ruined and in pieces, holes in thenwalls, black paint on every mahogany cabinet door, etc. You name it. So who fixes that?????? The banks. And in turn, you and me.

Now it's gotten to the point that BoA has a new program that if you lose your home to short sale....read DEBT FORGIVENESS FOR THE BALANCE...if you leave the house in good condition, you may qualify for TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS from the bank to leave. So, make poor choices, buy ###### you can't afford, get a life raft and get out of all repercussions....AND possibly get up to $20 grand for your 'trouble'. And it's the effing banks's fault????????

I am tired of people making irresponsible choices and wah wahing about it to the point of being entitled. Our ancestors didn't live like this. Society is becoming a bunch of irresponsible sissies whommake bad choices then kick up a temper tantrum that it's 'not fair'. And I, for one, am sick of it.

My personal finances do not have the level of disposable income it did a few years ago. Guess what? My husband and I make choices and sacrifices. Neither one of us it making what we feel we're worth. But we're doing ok, and making it work, because it is what it is. Sometimes, it's not pretty...there are sacrifices to be made....but that's what being a responsible adult means.

I doubt anyone sees the irony in protesting in such a manner in which is is draining MORE resources, but that's besides the point.

I also never said that they don't have a 1st amendment given right to protest. I don't believe in their message, but I don't believe they need to be unnecc tasered either.

[Fandango 1,439]

Ugh typos galore. Blame the iPad

[mawilson 2,133]

I don't believe in their message, but I don't believe they need to be unnecc tasered either.

Although that would be nice.

[Amby 490]

I think that would be awesome. Having the 1% throw money into the air above the protesting 99%...make sure you let the media know before you do this.

I have been thinking about how funny it would be if people did that for like a week. I was sure it would have happened by now.

[The_Dude 1,142]

What I see from those pictures is Lucky Strike being the hyperpartisan that he is. Of course he is going to post pictures whose sole purpose is to make tea party members look good and protesters look bad. I haven't seen much footage about the NYC protests beyond abstracts, but from what I have seen at the one in L.A., they are not violent, they are not breaking the law, and they are not turning it into a mess. I find it funny though, that the tea party started out talking about taxes and reforming tax codes. They wanted fair taxes for all, which is what the protesters are seeking as well (among other things). Somehow, the tea party locked its sights on social issues almost exclusively. I guess that is what happens when you have nobody running the movement (for both sides), you end up with mixed messages.

The tea party at least has wealthy and politically savvy benefactors who train people on media and political savvy, it's too bad taht training is done to benefit Koch Industries. My own personal experience with a tea party rally was much different than yours.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

For balance...

[Fandango 1,439]

Lucky didn't take the pictures, and he's not the first person to post them on the internets.

Your defense of them could also be seen as 'hyper partisan' as well.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Lucky didn't take the pictures, and he's not the first person to post them on the internets.

Your defense of them could also be seen as 'hyper partisan' as well.

That is immaterial Lisa. He sought out those specific photos for their partisan value. I'm not looking for Rich to post equally offensive pix of the tea party, but you don't need to post such vitriol. Those are pix of the minority of the group, just as the pix Mr. Big Dog posted. Neither are representative and both only make the situation more acerbic.

[Kang 22]

I am tired of people making irresponsible choices and wah wahing about it to the point of being entitled. Our ancestors didn't live like this. Society is becoming a bunch of irresponsible sissies whommake bad choices then kick up a temper tantrum that it's 'not fair'. And I, for one, am sick of it.

If people didn't jump into the housing trend, borrowing money without the ability to pay property tax and mortgage, the economy would have not be so doomed.

It is simple accounting. People buy and buy on credit (but hardly pay) and the company financial statement will have less receivables but big uncollected revenues reflected on their financial statements. Investors and managers see the horrifying equation. Decides to cut back and investors decides not to invest.

There, doom!

And then everybody expects the government to bail them out.

Why do you think the non-mainland ethnic Chinese rise from a discriminated class to Southeast Asia's economy backbone? They were not careless spenders, they were not whiners. The Chinese are Malaysia's economic backbone despite all the free money and "affirmative action" given to the Malays 40 years ago.

So demanding more 'welfare' is the answer? Think again!

[웃 910]

If people didn't jump into the housing trend, borrowing money without the ability to pay property tax and mortgage, the economy would have not be so doomed.

It is simple accounting. People buy and buy on credit (but hardly pay) and the company financial statement will have less receivables but big uncollected revenues reflected on their financial statements. Investors and managers see the horrifying equation. Decides to cut back and investors decides not to invest.

There, doom!

And then everybody expects the government to bail them out.

Why do you think the non-mainland ethnic Chinese rise from a discriminated class to Southeast Asia's economy backbone? They were not careless spenders, they were not whiners. The Chinese are Malaysia's economic backbone despite all the free money and "affirmative action" given to the Malays 40 years ago.

So demanding more 'welfare' is the answer? Think again!

If I give you a $15,000 loan (that you hypothetically can't pay back) - who is the moron? Who is the one that is at fault?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Where's my welfare check?

[LaL 418]

I don't really understand all the backlash against those individuals who have defaulted or demonstrating, but harbor no (or little) ill-will towards the banks who were swept up and saved. Screw the individuals - pull yourself up by your bootstraps is all fine and dandy, but when paired against the swift action taken to save the banks it just seems... backwards?

[Fandango 1,439]

That is immaterial Lisa. He sought out those specific photos for their partisan value. I'm not looking for Rich to post equally offensive pix of the tea party, but you don't need to post such vitriol. Those are pix of the minority of the group, just as the pix Mr. Big Dog posted. Neither are representative and both only make the situation more acerbic.

Hang on, Rich' 'hyper partisan' behavior is material, and yours is not? I'm vitriolic when I say I'm sure not all OWS are shitting on cars, and I also give the BOD that the message (which I don't respect) might have been bastardized. You then accuse me of not wanting them to have their 1st amendment rights when I said NOTHING of the sort, and now, I'm vitriolic? I'm vitriolic when I defend their right to protest safely without being taxed, even though I don't believe in why they're there?

Furthermore, how do you know how or why Rich came across those pictures? How in the word can you say he 'sought them out for their partisan value.'. You're not in his head. You don't know whether he sought them out, or it happened to be a link on a homepage somewhere. You can't claim to know anyone's motives but your own.

WADR, Rob, you are completely talking out of your ####### in this post.

But seriously...money where your mouth is time. Repost my 'vitriol.'

I don't really understand all the backlash against those individuals who have defaulted or demonstrating, but harbor no (or little) ill-will towards the banks who were swept up and saved. Screw the individuals - pull yourself up by your bootstraps is all fine and dandy, but when paired against the swift action taken to save the banks it just seems... backwards?

If the banking industry goes down, we all go down.

[^_^ 5,021]

If the banking industry goes down, we all go down.

+1

Nothing more really needs to be said. This is why bailing out Wall Street was so important. And in case people forget, the Wall Street bailouts made the government money... net win for everyone except those who chose to use their credit irresponsibly.