Ports are a result of humanity and should not be "Occupied".(Edited to show support of the ILWU)

[MyUncle]

The birth of ports happened when humans learned that they could use a raft to move goods from one place to another and then trade the goods that they had for the goods that they wanted. Our villages, towns and eventually great cities all grew up around ports. Not only did goods move through ports but I suggest the following and more moved through ports:
- news
- ideas
- ethnic diversity
- culture, arts, civilization and more

Ports predate capitalism, socialism, communism, occupyism or any other ideology. Ports existed before kingdoms or countries.

I do not agree with OWS targeting ports as a symbol of capitalism*.

I think shutting down a port is a powerful and empowering activity. Ports are an attractive target. But I think they are the wrong target.

When OWS shut down Oakland, my thoughts went out to the truckers, longshoremen, California farmers and other 99%ers not being able to go to work, having to choose sides, not being able to go home. I support OWS Oakland taking over the closed homeless shelter, but not the port. Stock exchanges, commodity exchanges, banks, all yes.

A blockade of a port is just about the most universally recognized act of war.

(Edited to show support of the ILWU) - If this action is in support of the Longshoreman Union, I'm on board. But I think this is a different issue and while I support them, I don't support OWS shutting down ports.

Shutting down the western ports is an anti human activity. It hurts/inconveniences/disrupts people who OWS should be supporting.

I understand and support "Sorry for the inconvenience, we are saving the world." but not this target.

* My Dad worked in the maritime industry. I've been on ships when they were in port since before I could remember. IMO, a port is an amazing achievement, vital to the world's health and connectivity. Fire away.

[virgogal]

1. No firing away here,I thought the same way last night but would not

have been able to put it into words the way you did.

Sure,the money people will lose money,but the working stiffs will really pay the price.

[patrick t. cakes]

2. I believe it's in conjunction with Unions

not despite them...

[nini]

3. You don't know many longshoremen do you?

They're all for this and driving the movement. THEY know how to stick together and stick it to the man.

[Luminous Animal]

17. One of the pleasures of living in the SF Bay Area is working in solidarity with

one a the few leftist activist unions left.

[nini]

18. Yep..ILWU 13 down here in the L.A. Harbor is no joke

I've got lots of friends working down there. They are not afraid to stand up for what is right.

[Capitalocracy]

4. Seriously! What's next, dressing up as Native Americans and throwing a tea shipment in the harbor?nt

[stevedeshazer]

5. I disagree with you.

This action is specifically targeted to support the ILWU workers in Longview, Washington.

In fact, you kind of make my point.

Ports are, historically, gathering points of commerce and commodities.

Which is EXACTLY why ports make an excellent target. After all, shipping goods is what runs the economy, right?

I can assure you that the families of those in Longview and wherever else there are ILWU workers want to protect their jobs.

The ILWU motto is, "An Injury To One Is An Injury To All".

If you support shutting down banks and stock exchanges and such, why not go straight to the source of their money?

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. I read that at least one trucker in Oakland got out of his rig and chatted supportively with the

#Occupiers. I don't know how many supported their move, but what the city of Oakland had done is beyond excuse.

I support the upcoming West Coast protest.

"Pardon the inconvenience, we are trying to change the world."

[LeftyMom]

7. Oh lawd, are you seriously complaining that blocking ports is unfair to longshoremen?

Blocking ports to make a point is what longshoremen do for fun. :rofl:

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. You do know f course

There is a major fight between workers and management?

[MyUncle]

10. I know about the fight.

I originally had in my post "If this is about the Longshoreman dispute, it is a different issue and I support them." I took that out and other thoughts to try and keep it short and simple. I'm putting it back in.

I think it is two issues and we can support the ILWU but not closing ports as an "Occupy" symbol.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Proxies

[stevedeshazer]

14. So, you're a windsock?

Jeepers, take a stand.

You either support the dock workers, or you don't.

MY Stand: I SUPPORT THE ILWU.

These people are my friends and neighbors.

[Starry Messenger]

9. I was there November 2.

The Longshoremen were grinning and high-fiving the incredible outpouring of the mass unity. Thanks for "caring" though. :*

[Philosopher King]

12. "A blockade of a port is just about the most universally recognized act of war."

That pretty much sums it up...Declaring war on the ILWU is probably not the best PR strategy either.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=114x16479

[EFerrari]

16. No one has declared war on the ILWU.

This strike is also in support of disputes they have ongoing. Sheesh.

[socialist_n_TN]

13. I would agree IF we were a worker's democracy........

but as long as the capitalists own the means of production, it's fair game. The ONLY way to hurt them is to hit them in the pocketbook. The only way to hit them in the pocketbook is to withhold our labor.

Solidarity with the ILWU. They are an inspiration.

[Luminous Animal]

15. So, let me get this straight... The ILWU supports shutting down the ports and you support them

but somehow, you do not support OWS shutting down the ports.

FYI, the ILWU has been very active in Occupy Oakland (and perhaps other Occupy movements). I've little doubt that this is action was initiated by the ILWU and endorsed by the OO general assembly.

In my opinion, the Occupy movement is doing the right thing by supporting one of few remaining social activist unions left in the U.S.

[MyUncle]

19. Please show me where the ILWU supports OWS shutting

down the ports.

[JFN1]

20. Then we should not Occupy any towns or cities, either.

Ports spawned the birth of many great cities, it is true...but it is equally true that villages predate ports, as villages grew in response to agrarian activity, as the clustered human settlements which started around farms, grew into hamlets, then villages, and then cities.

So you believe because of the honorable history of ports and the significance they have to human history, it is dishonorable to Occupy them.

Consequently, based upon the premise of your own argument, it must be even more dishonorable to Occupy clustered human settlements of any size, since without these, ports would have never been necessary, and thus ports would not exist today without the clustered human settlments which ultimately spawned them.