The shocking truth about the crackdown on Occupy

[Jello Biafra]

The violent police assaults across the US are no coincidence. Occupy has touched the third rail of our political class's venality

Naomi Wolf
guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 November 2011 12.25 EST

US citizens of all political persuasions are still reeling from images of unparallelled police brutality in a coordinated crackdown against peaceful OWS protesters in cities across the nation this past week. An elderly woman was pepper-sprayed in the face; the scene of unresisting, supine students at UC Davis being pepper-sprayed by phalanxes of riot police went viral online; images proliferated of young women – targeted seemingly for their gender – screaming, dragged by the hair by police in riot gear; and the pictures of a young man, stunned and bleeding profusely from the head, emerged in the record of the middle-of-the-night clearing of Zuccotti Park.

But just when Americans thought we had the picture – was this crazy police and mayoral overkill, on a municipal level, in many different cities? – the picture darkened. The National Union of Journalists and the Committee to Protect Journalists issued a Freedom of Information Act request to investigate possible federal involvement with law enforcement practices that appeared to target journalists. The New York Times reported that "New York cops have arrested, punched, whacked, shoved to the ground and tossed a barrier at reporters and photographers" covering protests. Reporters were asked by NYPD to raise their hands to prove they had credentials: when many dutifully did so, they were taken, upon threat of arrest, away from the story they were covering, and penned far from the site in which the news was unfolding. Other reporters wearing press passes were arrested and roughed up by cops, after being – falsely – informed by police that "It is illegal to take pictures on the sidewalk."

-continued-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/nov/25/shocking-truth-about-crackdown-occupy

Naomi hits one out of the park.........

[MannyGoldstein]

1. "Make no mistake: the world will not stand idly by while the people

and press of Egypt are abused by the security apparat... oh, this was the US? Oh fuck it then, it's cool. "

[RKP5637]

2. Yep, we have this great democracy in the USA ("NOT"), so it must be OK. Go USA! Go USA! Go USA! A

Shadow of the country I once knew. Take away the names and it looks the same as Egypt.

[Fire Walk With Me]

3. K&R

[fascisthunter]

4. there ya go... police state

[Desertrose]

5. Yup. Pretty clear anymore, isn't it?

[Octafish]

14. Friendly Fascism

Bertram Gross coined the term.

[tblue]

34. A kinder gentler fascism. Well, not really.

And people still believe Obama is on our side.

[TheWraith]

41. Except, you know, not. Wolf's article is based on utter bullshit.

The same one unsubstantiated blogger from Minnesota who has no backup, no names, no reputation, nothing, posting wild claims on a website that lets anyone post anything. And that's the single, sole piece of "evidence" supporting the whole "DHS coordinated crackdown" conspiracy theory.

[RoccoR5955]

69. Except that it was stated by the mayor of Oakland,

and the NYC police chief, and by the thousands who saw DHS vehicles on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge on 11/17.


BTW-- How much does Americans for Prosperity pay you to post here? Yeah, you can deny it, however your post speaks volumes.

[jeff47]

120. No, it wasn't.

The mayors talked about coordination among themselves. They did not claim DHS was on the call. Believe it or not, it is possible for a mayor to make a phone call without federal assistance.

[tomp]

76. blind, stupid, or complicit. nt

[Name removed]

79. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[2banon]

92. For those following last week's crackdown, we learned this before Wolf's article

U.C.Davis Chancellor and Oakland Mayor.... which now makes this old news but the underpinning facts on the DHS coordination is critical to keep in mind, and bears repeating.

[jeff47]

122. Perhaps you could supply links to such facts?

And to be a "fact", it can't be based on the reporting from Examiner.com, which took a break extra terrestrial/US Govt conspiracy reporting to claim DHS is involved. Despite assurances that they would back up their claims, they've failed to do so.

So far, every story I've seen, including Wolfe's, is based on that Examiner story.

[2banon]

146. it was on the 6 oclock news.. Think I read it the Oakland Trib as well..

it's been a couple of weeks. So, you don't see those events tightly co-ordinated, and you're not aware that the police involved are not just your local precinct called in? Think it's just co-inky dinky?

[Juneboarder]

100. "DHS coordinated crackdown"

I'm young, so I might be a little clueless here, but how does NYC shut down federal air space during their raids of Zuccotti? What about the DHS vehicles spotted in Brooklyn? Maybe the dots haven't been connected just yet, but I do think DHS is involved here. This has been going on long enough; DHS, Congress, the White House, all of them are aware of what is going on. By sitting back and saying/doing nothing is just as bad as giving the order. They are in office by the people for the people (or so it's supposed to be), not in office to collude against its citizens.

[jeff47]

117. Because it's not "federal air space"

The city has jurisdiction over the air space over NYC, up to a certain altitude and outside the approaches to the airports. I forget offhand what that altitude is.

[Juneboarder]

137. Cool, wasn't aware of that ..

I just assumed the feds had to be involved in shutting down airspace and restricting media. The fact that the cities are stooping to this level with the fact that the government offers little to no response means that they are just as liable, at least IMO.

[RoccoR5955]

160. That's a load of BS.

Airspace is regulated by the FAA, at LEAST. Higher ups can restrict it. If you believe what that airspace is a local matter, than airspace above the White House, should be in the jurisdiction of DC, and not the Feds.

[AntiFascist]

121. How did the Oakland PD coordinate police actions from many different cities...

including very specialized units from a separate county: San Francisco? No one ever answered this to my satisfaction except to speculate that Governor Brown may have been responsible. Really??

[Juneboarder]

138. You must have meant this message for someone else.

It has nothing to do with my post above, as I asserted nothing to that nature. But, I would like to add that Jerry Brown used to be, in a past life, mayor of Oakland. With a past as progressive as Mr. Brown's, it's a shame at his lack of response to former constituents.

[AntiFascist]

140. I was trying to draw parallels to what was happening in Oakland...

that fact that the Oakland response also seemed to have very sophisticated coordination that many believe could only happen with the help of the DHS. The assertion I alluded to was made in another thread, where no one could seem to explain the source of the coordination.

[Juneboarder]

141. Sophisticated coordination

Some seem to have blinders on and think this is all just a co-inky-dink that encampents are being shut down in the same fashion, same time, same... No, definitely no coordination efforts here folks, move along, move along...

What I don't get is many that assert there is no coordination don't offer comments on the lack of any response from authoritative figures. Where is Obama on all this? Oh yea, he did say something like he didn't do it a couple weeks ago; but why does he allow for the continuous violence against our own peaceful citizens? Why aren't there governmental officials standing up against this brutality? That lack of response, in my opinion, is un-American and shows the stance that they could care less about us 99%.

[2banon]

148. And Jerry Brown saw to that Oakland received it's share of DHS funding for this important port city

gotta put all those resources into practice every once in awhile, don't they.

[AntiFascist]

151. Interesting point, this needs more exposure....

Oakland is particularly vulnerable because it is a port city and, as a result, is of particular interest to the Feds. It goes without saying the importance of New York City.

[2banon]

147. your question is confusing. are you asking for the technical coordinates and manifestos etc?

maybe someone here has those, but i doubt it will be posted unless it's leaked by a good samaritan or annonymous hackivist. but really you're not able to "see" that it was coordinated?

[AntiFascist]

150. Sorry for the confusion, my question was rhetorical...

my point was that it seemed to have been too sophisticated for Oakland PD to coordinate all by itself.

[2banon]

155. i gotcha now.. sometimes the thread connections get kind of skewed,

i end up responding to the wrong post.. (sheesh).. anyway, am I the only one that caught President Obama's responding to a presser about what should be done with all of the Occupy encampments, where he said something to the effect, oh i think it should be up to the local officials? I'm trying to remember where that comes in the timeline.. it's a cruel joke on all of us just the same.

[rhett o rick]

102. It's is always great to see someone representing the 1% posting here. nm

[TBF]

89. And it has been so for quite awhile -

Remember Kent State? They shot students there. The pepper spray bonanza is nothing new ...

[woo me with science]

129. It is no longer a secret. nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

6. Well whaddayaknow. Hmmmm.

[Marr]

7. Federally coordinated, while good ol' Comfortable Shoes is conveniently out of the country.

I'm so shocked!

[Lorien]

42. According to the article Obama was one of the ones who wanted (and possibly

ordered) the crackdown:

"So, when you connect the dots, properly understood, what happened this week is the first battle in a civil war; a civil war in which, for now, only one side is choosing violence. It is a battle in which members of Congress, with the collusion of the American president, sent violent, organised suppression against the people they are supposed to represent. Occupy has touched the third rail: personal congressional profits streams. Even though they are, as yet, unaware of what the implications of their movement are, those threatened by the stirrings of their dreams of reform are not.

Sadly, Americans this week have come one step closer to being true brothers and sisters of the protesters in Tahrir Square. Like them, our own national leaders, who likely see their own personal wealth under threat from transparency and reform, are now making war upon us."

[Marr]

43. Not surprised at all. I meant it was very conspicuous the way it started just

when he was away from US media.

[defendandprotect]

113. If true, Obama has chosen violence rather than the Constitution ....

Convenient that elites can turn to our Dem president and Congress to get

what they want -- !!



:(

[woo me with science]

136. +1 Conveniently, indeed. nt

[AntiFascist]

8. Congresspeople who see their own personal wealth streams under threat...

are now waging war against that threat.

K&R!!!

[Mimosa]

49. ^ So true ^ Congress critters have long profited because of position. n/t

[Huey P. Long]

9. kick.

[MsLeopard]

74. LBJ

He was the first president I remember hearing about how he entered politics a poor Texan, and by the time he precided as Speaker of the House he was in the 1%.

[inna]

10. kr

[G_j]

11. and Obama expressed concern

Oops, wrong country...

[rhett o rick]

103. Pres Obama is in a tough place. He needs those corporate contributions and support of the New

Democrats (read Old Republicons).

[HereSince1628]

12. Hmmmmmm, sounds about time for a Congressional Commission of Inquiry

to whitewash this.

[Enthusiast]

58. There isn't even enough outrage that they need

to bother with a commission. It is Christmas time ya know. The sheeple are asleep. Shhhh, don't wake them.

[2banon]

153. lol! laughing cuz the truth hurts.. white wash commission indeed!

[Fire Walk With Me]

13. DHS co-ordinated brutal attacks? Peter King is their overseer? Anyone remember this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=T0IOsLk08zs



Proof that our own government is against us, is against the American People and the Constitution of the United States.

[SomethingFishy]

20. Can't have the people of this country shaping policy...

That would be a Democracy!

[Fire Walk With Me]

21. Yeah. No shit... X(

[nolabels]

31. We have no government that can be held to account

Basically government is now just an extension that corporations use to do their muscle work. You are dreaming, and especially now, to think the worthless, picked because they will do nothing, crowd in D.C. has the general population in mind. Wake up that was over thirty years ago

Don't miss it, it's only nostalgic, because it really has been gone a long time :-)

[stockholmer]

35. Peter King's an anti-muslim, neo-con war monger, as well as a supporter of terrorism (the IRA)

This POS racist, pro-zionist, bigoted AIPAC puppet can kiss my arse.


Peter King's pro-terrorist past

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/michaeltomasky/2011/mar/09/congress-ira

Peter King: Reactionary, Rash and Wrong

http://www.truth-out.org/content/peter-king-reactionary-rash-and-wrong


Rep. Peter King: There are "too many mosques in this country”

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0907/Rep_King_There_are_too_many_mosques_in_this_country_.html

[CEO Watson]

56. they are not against you..

they just hate you for your freedom

[Enthusiast]

60. This time it's true.

They hate us for our freedom (s). Remember these people? They thought they fixed it.

[Hotler]

80. Kicking for this picture.

This what our protest should look like. Tens of thousands of citizens in the streets across the country in every state.

[Enthusiast]

84. If occupy looked like that

the nation's problems could be solved immediately. Imagine no corporate money in the elections, none at all. Imagine everyone's vote counting. Imagine OUR elected representatives representing us. We need numbers. We need numbers so big that the police stand with their mouths hanging open wondering what to do.

[femrap]

94. I remember those days...I had

hope then. OWS has provided me with hope. Maybe we can have a huge Occupy Federal Government this spring.

[Enthusiast]

59. I don't think Peter has to worry about the media glorifying OWS.

The media is as coordinated on their tear down OWS efforts as they are on, "Social security is causing the deficit".

[RoccoR5955]

70. Peter King belongs in jail, not congress. n/t

[bengalherder]

114. I heard Peter King prefers armed revolutionaries.

As long as they bomb in Ireland and Britain, he thinks their just peachy with their policy shaping.

[paparush]

126. We can't have people exercising their rights to free speech and free assembly.

KICK

[Downwinder]

15. Before the Occupy crackdown it was safe to shop.

Is there meaning in this?

[Jello Biafra]

17. You watch.......soon you won't be able to buy pepper or alcohol....

or baby oil in a supermarket because that together is a weapon.....right up there with limes.......

[nadinbrzezinski]

44. Did anybody stop you from shopping today?

Oh wait, that be the very well behaved Wallmart Shoppers.

:sarcasm:

[Downwinder]

51. Yes, I am unable to function in crowds.

[rhett o rick]

104. Your point eludes me. nm

[Fire Walk With Me]

16. THIS is why no democrats (aside from Dennis Kucinich) came out against the violence against #Occupy:

But wait: why on earth would Congress advise violent militarised reactions against its own peaceful constituents? The answer is straightforward: in recent years, members of Congress have started entering the system as members of the middle class (or upper middle class) – but they are leaving DC privy to vast personal wealth, as we see from the "scandal" of presidential contender Newt Gingrich's having been paid $1.8m for a few hours' "consulting" to special interests. The inflated fees to lawmakers who turn lobbyists are common knowledge, but the notion that congressmen and women are legislating their own companies' profitsis less widely known – and if the books were to be opened, they would surely reveal corruption on a Wall Street spectrum. Indeed, we do already know that congresspeople are massively profiting from trading on non-public information they have on companies about which they are legislating – a form of insider trading that sent Martha Stewart to jail.

Manny's "Keep kicked: list of dems against the violence against Scott Olsen" thread fell and got archived. Now we know why they've shut up all this time.

[midnight]

87. Sounds like the people are on their own....

[Rex]

18. The plutocracy will not go away quietly.

Even if they have to have their PIG Force kill a few people and cause a riot or two. Anything to keep America open to failure by greed.

[sarcasmo]

83. Exactly, the Plutocracy will not go away.

[Zorra]

19. Naomi nails it perfectly again. "The No 1 agenda item: get the money out of politics."

"Of course, these unarmed people would be having the shit kicked out of them."

Great, awesome piece.

Thanks.

[jeff47]

124. It's a great piece. Too bad it's based on a lie.

All the "DHS was involved" reporting is based on an anonymous quote in one story on Examiner.com. The author of said story has claimed he would back up his story, but has failed to do so. Examiner's not exactly a trustworthy source - they regularly report on extra-terrestrial/US government conspiracies as fact.

Not saying DHS could not be involved, but people are basing a lot of things on the equivalent of "My cousin's friend overheard two guys talking in a bar"

[TheKentuckian]

142. Unsubstantiated is down the road a fair piece from lie.

[Kablooie]

22. It's going to be a long and hard fight.

And I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes another Tiananmen square.

They turn out the lights, block all information from leaving the area and slaughter everyone involved to terrify everyone else into compliance.

It might not have the same effect as it did in China but I wouldn't put it beyond our government if the fight seriously begins to erode Congressional personal pocketbooks.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kaleko]

24. Armed teabaggers and KKK goons don't get hassled by the police

because they're right-wingers supporting the status quo.

Occupiers pose a real threat to the Powers That Be, and if they came armed to the teeth to a protest, their corpses would litter the streets.

[USA_1]

27. If so, explain this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0HNr2Y7B5c&list=FLRrrjkMZGOICoJnEcm3Vxdw&feature=mh_lolz


That's correct - right wing Constitutionalists PROTECT Occupy Phoenix because they are armed to the teeth. Notice how the police stand off and don't dare do shit.

[Kaleko]

29. Very interesting video.

Thanks! I haven't done any research on the credentials of guy being interviewed there, so I'll hold off judgment on who or what he is. It's also not a clear case that the police were holding back ONLY because these paramilitary guys were present. There have been many OWS encampments where police did not attack, even without armed "protectors" present.

But I do get the overall point you are making and wouldn't be surprised if armed militia types were joining in on future mass protests as peacekeepers.

[USA_1]

30. Black Panthers In Houston, TX

When the New Black Panthers assembled in Houston last year the cops did not dare to stop them as well. Not only did the Panthers have guns, they had fully automated machine guns.

For years the KKK, John Birch Society, Arizona Patriots, Posse Commitatus, NRA, and now the Tea Baggers have held public rallies in which they display placards that make all kinds of threats which would be called treasonous if they were displayed by the political left. Yet, the police and FBI never touch them. NEVER.

People here in DU need to understand that the Bill of Rights apply to EVERYONE not just the right wing. If right wingers in those rallies can display placards that reveal threats or treason, and if they can openly carry weapons, then so can everyone else. Unfortunately, the left refuses to do so and publicly condemns the 2d Amendment. It is this stupid condemnation and the failure to realize that it is there for YOUR good that makes the left victims of government repression.

Don't blame the cops. Don't blame the FBI. Blame yourselves.

When the moment comes that you are willing to see that it has been your fault all along and when you assert the same rights the right wing have used all these years, that's when the government will finally respect you.

[Enthusiast]

62. The left does not publicly condemn the 2d Amendment.

Kind of broad brushing "the left" aren't you?

I have never heard a single condemnation of the second amendment by "the left". I have heard some condemn concealed carry laws that allow guns just about anywhere and everywhere. And individuals complain about assault weapons. But the second amendment? "The left" condemns the second amendment? You blew your cover, boy.

[Mosaic]

73. "You blew your cover, boy."

So did you. I think the video posted is great, ALL of us should be armed ready for whatever happens. We can not allow this country to become wrong wing or fascist or whatever disrespects our rights. Left wingers not only must be armed to the teeth, we must be expert shooters, expertize will stop the damn fascists cold.

[Enthusiast]

75. So did I?

OWS arms themselves and they will be cut to pieces by professional tactical police. It would be the worst possible approach to correcting the nation's problems.

Yeah, we should all be armed, but not at an OWS protest. Unless you have a death wish. This nation does not tolerate armed leftists.

[USA_1]

96. 99%

Those at OWS claim to represent the 99%, not necessarily the left. Therefore, as the MAJORITY they and all else can and should utilize the 2d Amendment. If this rule does not apply, then the movement has no business calling itself a representative of the 99%.

[Enthusiast]

130. OWS is not right of center. Some of the 99% are, of course.

So far no argument.

But you are suggesting because OWS represents the 99% they should carry firearms in their protests so they will more accurately represent the 99%? If that is what you are suggesting I have a question for you. Are you out of your fucking mind?

It is the greatest wish of The Powers That Be that OWS would show up at protests armed. That would play right into their hands. All the PTB would need to do is have an agent provocateur fire off a random shot from a window somewhere so the police could return fire. No more OWS movement.

The media is already claiming that OWS is a violent movement.

You are dangerously close to making my DU suspect list.

[USA_1]

158. Are You Saying People need to Stand There & Get their heads Busted???

OWS had not shown a shred of violence at all. Whoever says it is violent if full of shit. They are being victimized because they refuse to use their 2d Amendment solutions like everyone else.

Did the police shoot at the Black Panthers in the video I showed you? Did they shoot at Tea Bagger rallies?? If anyone dares to say that OWS doesn't have the same rights as all else then they are also full of shit. OWS needs to stop pretending they do not have the same rights every one has. And anyone who denies them their rights is a traitor to the Constitution and all it stands for.

[bread_and_roses]

86. You're out of your mind, too. (n/t)

[rhett o rick]

106. Yes the overlords would love the left to arm themselves. Then they could kill us

with impunity. Those that think citizens armed with small arms can take on our militarized police forces live in a fantasy world. I picture them hiding in their mother's basement stroking their "fire arm".

[USA_1]

161. Right Wingers Don't Think So

Neither do Houston Black Panthers or Arizona Patriots. See my earlier video links.

[USA_1]

95. Maybe You Think So

But as a social activist for well over 40 years I have seen plenty of leftists/libs or whatever term you want to use condemn the 2d Amendment as archaic or irrelevant. Too bad they feel that way since it is the best protection they have against government tyranny. Case in point: pepper spraying incidents and scalp hunting cops.

[Name removed]

131. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bread_and_roses]

85. "the cops did not dare to stop them" - are you out of your mind?

You cannot be serious? And there could be no worse development than the Occupiers arming themselves or engaging in anything other than non-violent civil disobedience. Something that takes far more courage than puffing yourself up and pretending you are some sort of "Freedom Fighter" because you are armed. Encouraging armed protest is so insane that one has to wonder at the real motivations for it.

[2banon]

99. The Left does NOT condemn the 2nd ammendment! Many abhore the use of violence and the tools

of violence. But that's an important distinction of significant difference. Generally speaking, the Left condemns violence in principle, some even oppose self-defense for religious or philosophical reasons. But that's not the same thing as condemning the 2nd Ammendment.

[stockholmer]

48. [phone] love to see false paradigm smashing videos like this!!

[Enthusiast]

61. It's an anomaly.

Right wing constitutionalists are usually the least informed of American citizens.

[sabrina 1]

33. Wrong, the Teabaggers are working FOR the Corporate State.

That is why they don't get hassled by the cops. 'No taxes on the wealthy'. Teabaggers are nothing more than tools of the Corporate State, and as such they will never be attacked. They are protecting the wealthy.

OWS is working AGAINST the takeover of our government by Multi-national Corporations. That is why they are such a threat.

They are doing it exactly right. They are exposing the truth each time the cops show up in riot gear and brutalize ordinary American Citizens.

This is only the beginning. It took decades for them to take over our government, it will take YEARS to get it back.

Violence is the worst thing OWS could resort to. I think you do not fully understand what is going on.

[Enthusiast]

63. K&R Your post.

[USA_1]

97. "Violence"?

Perhaps you have misunderstood my posts. An armed citizenry is the best tool to AVOID violence as well as tyranny.

True, you are correct when you say the Tea Baggers represent corporate America. But that fact does not explain why they were not attacked by cops or feds. After all, the KKK, John Birch Society, Posse Commatatus, and Arizona Patriots do not represent corporate America and they are not hassled either. Why? Again, because they are armed. Just like the New Black Panthers in Houston who openly carried and flaunted fully loaded rifles and automated weapons while the cops stood by helplessly.

The best way to avoid violence is by using all of the Bill of Rights. If our Founding Fathers were here they would tell you the same thing.

[KoKo]

112. +!!!

[WillyT]

25. Humongous K & R !!! - Possibly THE MOST IMPORTANT Article About #OWS And TPTB So Far...

:mad:

:kick::kick::kick:

:nuke:

:argh:

[WillyT]

26. AND... President Obama And The Democratic Party Better Address THIS Post Haste !!!

Since Occupy is heavily surveilled and infiltrated, it is likely that the DHS and police informers are aware, before Occupy itself is, what its emerging agenda is going to look like. If legislating away lobbyists' privileges to earn boundless fees once they are close to the legislative process, reforming the banks so they can't suck money out of fake derivatives products, and, most critically, opening the books on a system that allowed members of Congress to profit personally – and immensely – from their own legislation, are two beats away from the grasp of an electorally organised Occupy movement … well, you will call out the troops on stopping that advance.

So, when you connect the dots, properly understood, what happened this week is the first battle in a civil war; a civil war in which, for now, only one side is choosing violence. It is a battle in which members of Congress, with the collusion of the American president, sent violent, organised suppression against the people they are supposed to represent. Occupy has touched the third rail: personal congressional profits streams. Even though they are, as yet, unaware of what the implications of their movement are, those threatened by the stirrings of their dreams of reform are not.

Same piece.

:mad:

:kick:

[Enthusiast]

64. Yup

[woo me with science]

139. Yes. nt

[Doctor_J]

28. The reason they did it is the same reason my dog licks himself

...because they can. It is a little discouraging, but completely predictable, that some wide=spread but pretty mild violence by the state

1. Will go completely unpunished, and
2. Took a huge chunk out of the momentum of the movement.

It was extremely naive to think that the PTB would be bowled over by some campers. And I disagree with Naomi about 1 point. Priority 1 should be getting the airwaves back. after that getting country back will be pretty easy.

[cyberpj]

32. k/r - Thank you Naomi! Too bad you have to write for UK news instead of our own country. nt

[waronxmas]

36. Until it can be confirmed that DHS was involved in the call

...this is still yellow journalism. The only source Naomi Wolf cites is that Examiner article that itself is nothing more than hearsay. The Freedom of Information request is appropriate to see how the Feds were involved, however I really cannot imagine a reason why DHS or White House would have any interest in doing so. They have nothing to gain, most especially the President from cracking down on Occupy protests.

Now something that has been confirmed, is that Police Executive Research Forum was on the conference calls with the City Mayors/Police Departments and helped coordinate the crackdowns. On Democracy Now last week, Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez pressed those involved with the conference call if there was Federal involvement and received an answer that it did not exist. A great write of that can be found here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/11/19/1038054/-Confirmed:-Police-Executive-Research-Forum-(PERF)-coordinating-Occupy-raids

Let's not let the truth get in the way of a good conspiracy theory against the Executive branch though. SMH

[Name removed]

72. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jeff47]

125. What, exactly, are "DHS vehicles"?

Vans with "DHS" plastered on the side?

[Swede]

149. Very thoughtful post,waronxmas.

nt

[FreeBillClinton]

37. K&R

[hootinholler]

38. It may have been out of the park, but it's foul.

Definitely not a home run.

First, she hoses the chain of command. I'm pretty sure that while King has considerable influence he cannot give orders to DHS.

Next, she ignores the effects of fusion centers on the culture of post 911 policing.

I think what we are seeing is a result of a culture shift more so than someone pulling strings.

[Major Hogwash]

71. It isn't like we weren't watching tv when the New York OWS started their protest, and the rest of us

said "Oh, hell yeah, we'll join this movement."

There would have to be so many strings to pull, King, or anyone else for that matter, would have to be much farther up the chain of command than a mere Representative.

The idea that a cultural revolution started to take place here in this country -- after we watched what happened in the Middle East in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Yemen all spring and summer long -- rules out the possibility that this isn't a natural, spontaneous reaction to the authoritarianism that was represented here in the United States by Bush's 2 terms of repression, the faux collapse of the banking system, the housing crisis, and the general mood of the economic recession.

Of course, it's spontaneous.
We didn't start the fire.
Rage against the machine.
That's what most of the dissension has all been about for the last 30 years in this country, just as soon as the Republitards started referring to it as "the Reagan Revolution".

But, that's just my opinion.

[DeSwiss]

39. The rich are deathly afraid. They know this is the END. - K&R n/t

[The Green Manalishi]

40. "A kinder gentler machine gun hand"

[Enthusiast]

65. ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdiCJUysIT0

[AtomicKitten]

45. or "How Bullshit Magically Turns Into Fact"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x821842

[stockholmer]

46. here is a quite plausible trail linking DHS to the coordination to evict OWS

First off you had a conference call:

Mayors, police chiefs talk strategy on protests (AP)

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/nov/15/us-occupy-cooperation/


This call was set up by the Police Executive Research Forum, a national police group that organized the calls on Oct. 11 and Nov. 4.


PERF said the call was based on this document:

http://www.policeforum.org/dotAsset/1491727.pdf


Amongst the authors of this document was:

Deputy Assistant Secretary Gary Schenkel
DHS OFFICE OF STATE & LOCAL
LAW ENFORCEMENT


http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20100526/DEPARTMENTS03/5260301/1050/PERSONNEL04

[AtomicKitten]

50. Salon: "Both "sources" are unsubstantiated but have now gone viral."

link: http://www.salon.com/2011/11/17/dhs_denies_ows_eviction_role/

Yesterday, the very funny but not exactly journalistic blog Wonkette posted a story “Surprise, Homeland Security Coordinates #OWS Crackdowns,” linking to a post in the Examiner stating that “according to one Justice official, each of those actions was coordinated with help from Homeland Security, the FBI and other federal police agencies.”

- snip

The Examiner story, however, cites just one unnamed Justice Department source — one or two sources short of non-attributed journalistic certainty. And it appeared in the Examiner: a content-aggregating website that posts “3,000 new stories per day written by more than 55,000 ‘Examiners,’ or paid local contributors.”

Citing the Examiner is the journalistic equivalent of saying, “my friend Bob told me.” And for what it’s worth, DHS rejects the accusation.

DHS has not been coordinating evictions with local law enforcement agencies, DHS spokesman Matt Chandler told Salon. The only exception, he said, was Portland, Ore., where the Federal Protective Service arrested protesters in federally owned Terry Schrunk Plaza.

“Any decisions on how to handle specifics situations are dealt with by local authorities in that location,” Chandler said. “If a protest area is located on federal property and has been deemed unsanitary or unsafe by the General Services Administration or city officials, and they make a decision to evacuate participants, the Federal Protective Service will work with those officials to develop a plan to ensure the security and safety of everyone involved.”

This chaotic week of Occupy evictions has created fertile ground for rumors. And though both stories appear to be unsubstantiated, both have now gone viral: 11,000 Facebook shares of the Wonkette article, nearly 8,000 for the Examiner. Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman repeated the rumor on Truthdig, as did libertarian Reason magazine. And so did the progressive In These Times.

[stockholmer]

53. what you posted didn't deal with what I posted (nothing in my posting is disputed) there is not a

a direct smoking gun yet, but all the primary components are fully admitted.

1 Both the mayors and police chiefs admit they were on conference calls
2 PERF admits it set up the calls
3 The document that PERF itself said was the basis text used on the call was co-authored by Gary Schenkel, the DHS deputy assistant secretary for state and local law enforcement

[AtomicKitten]

54. PERF's conference calls with mayors and police chiefs aren't a secret.

1. PERF is a private membership-based organization that coordinated two conference calls with mayors and police chiefs to compare notes on OWS. Your link to the Las Vegas Sun states mayors and police chiefs have conference calls on a regular basis.
2. The document you linked to "Managing Major Events: Best Practices From the Field" is an overview and not specific to OWS. Also Gary Schenkel was a participant at a PERF executive session on 11/18/10 in D.C., not a co-author of the document.
3. Perhaps you are conflating this with another private organization trying to get in on the OWS action, a Republican lobbying firm marketing a plan to do opposition research on OWS activists? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DrLt4UH0JY

None of this substantiates the accusation that the DHS coordinated attacks on OWS.

[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[femrap]

98. I think this information

should be an Opening Post. Sure looks like something is smoking or at least smoldering.

As far as I'm concerned, this goes to the TOP. OWS exposes TPTB and their cruel, greedy, and evil tactics. Nothing will stop OWS. TPTB have overstepped their vileness.

And maybe that's why the groundwork for WW3 is being laid. Ships from both Russia and US are heading to Syrian waters. And maybe the American people are sick of wars...

We are living in historic times.

[woo me with science]

143. +1

[WillyT]

47. So You Say... And THIS ???

But a little-known but influential private membership based organization has placed itself at the center of advising and coordinating the crackdown on the encampments. The Police Executive Research Forum, an international non-governmental organization with ties to law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has been coordinating conference calls with major metropolitan mayors and police chiefs to advise them on policing matters and discuss response to the Occupy movement. The group has distributed a recently published guide on policing political events.

Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=2340717

:shrug:

[jeff47]

119. I have ties to DHS

I know someone who works for DHS as an administrative assistant.

Having "ties" doesn't mean squat. It sounds sinister. But without explaining what those ties are, they are meaningless.

[uponit7771]

77. +1!!!

[girl gone mad]

111. So as long as the coordination is done through private contractors it doesn't count?

Privatization really is a miracle.

[AtomicKitten]

116. From Naomi's article in the Guardian: "... the DHS does not freelance."

... the DHS does not freelance."

link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/nov/25/shocking-truth-about-crackdown-occupy

Next. :freak:

[girl gone mad]

132. So they weren't acting of their own accord..

they were acting on orders from Obama when they contracted with private firms to crush OWS.

Got it.

[AtomicKitten]

133. What you've got is an outrageous accusation based on zero evidence. Well done!

:freak:

[girl gone mad]

135. You made the insinuation..

when you posted that the DHS does not freelance.

[suffragette]

118. I think that's what they are counting on, blurring the chain of command

by using systems such as fusion centers which don't have the same oversight.

By coordinating this through fusion centers combining DHS, private, local, state and federal agencies, they can say it's all locally done when they are using these new systems that incorporate federal entities and communication. Also, it's a multi-step process to identify which ones are involved because of the various names of these.


OWS and fusion centers
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2338578

Breaking: Goldman Sachs And Other Wall Street Firms Spy on Protesters In Taxpayer-Funded Center
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2337714

And they (DHS) are increasing staffing:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2338578#2339106


edited to add titles of threads/post

[jeff47]

123. Setting up a conference call means DHS was issuing orders?

Who knew that having an account with a conference call service is the real path to power, something completely beyond the ability of a massive federal agency.


More seriously, "ties" to DHS means jack squat. You'll note nobody's bothered saying what those "ties" are. They just get all sinister about it without bothering to enumerate any ties.

[AtomicKitten]

134. It is clear an accusation sans evidence is good enough for some because they want to believe it.

My ex's brother works for the Justice Department which if you squint is practically DHS so ...
hoocha-hoocha-hoocha - !!proof!!!omg!!elevens!!!

[blkmusclmachine]

55. Coordinated attack against peaceful Americans exercising their Constitutional Rights? Looks like it.

Big Question: How high up does this go?

[Enthusiast]

57. FASCISM.

When they stole the 2000 election we should have known. The media played it down. The SCOTUS stole a presidential election and the media played it down.

We elected a Democratic Party majority in 2006 and a president in 2008. When things didn't change at all it should have been a clue.

Listen, we are in a world of shit here. Oh, I know, there is still Christmas.

[Warren Stupidity]

66. welcome to my ring of hell

there are lots of us sitting here, wondering "now what?". I think OWS has the start of an answer.

[mmonk]

67. I'm glad this article is doing well here.

Naomi does her homework. The media creates its own narratives, but never asks in real terms what is going on.

[The Wizard]

68. What happens

if well armed street gangs get involved and open fire on government goons?
Methinks we are witnessing a precursor to the garrison state that's just down the road. When the economy collapses under the weight of corrupt bankers and shysters, and people can't afford food, the powers that be will unleash hot lead and nerve gas against the general population, and that will mark the end of the United States of America.
Our elected officials have worked hand in hand with the most corrupt elements to ever poison the landscape, all in the name of the next quarterly report and unwarranted bloated compensation and bonuses for those in the top 1%.
They got the guns (right now), we got the numbers.

[certainot]

78. imagine if those 1000 coordinated talk radio stations condemned instead of encouraged this shit

as long as it's okay on and encouraged from 1000 of the biggest radio stations and no one complains ... what's the big deal?

seriously, by ignoring talk radio the left lets the think tanks that feed the limbaughs and hannitys decide what is and what isn't acceptable in america.

and a lot of those stations get their community credibility from broadcasting university sports, along with the daily global warming denial and racism and sexism. shame on those unis.

as long as there is no organized opposition to the right's best weapon and we can expect more of the same.

[L. Coyote]

81. Now the whole world knows that shining light high on the hill is

witches burning ... gotta love American politics as usual :rofl:

[snappyturtle]

82. Having read all the replies I notice discord. What I don't notice is

denial of the agencies involved in the crackdown/collusion even after viral exposure. To me, this lack of denial is telling....or have I missed something?

[muriel_volestrangler]

90. Yes, you missed the denial quoted in reply #50 (nt)

[snappyturtle]

101. Thanks. nt

[Better Believe It]

88. Sorry for the Duplicate. I didn't see your post until after I posted my link.

[sarchasm]

91. Shocking? NOT, sadly!

[2banon]

93. Welcome to DU Jello! Is that really you???

Good to see ya here!

[NBachers]

105. Check out the pictures of Campus Cops for the University of Leicester

The first comment in the "Comments" section under Naomi's article features pictures of the local campus cops. They look like every student's favorite uncle: http://www.facebook.com/campuscops

[WilliamPitt]

107. Are you the real Jello Biafra?

Cuz if you are, we met in NYC during the GOP convention in 2004, at that bar.

:hi:

[Fantastic Anarchist]

108. I was about to ask the same thing.

[AllyCat]

110. Inquiring minds want to know :)

Anyway, thanks for the post and welcome to DU!

[Jello Biafra]

115. No I'm not....however I'm aligned with many of his views.....n/t

[Luminous Animal]

144. Nope. The real Jello would not have promoted such fact deficient tinfoil hattery.

WTF! The Guardian should take down Wolf's article and issue an apology to its readers.

http://www.alternet.org/story/153222/naomi_wolf%E2%80%99s_%E2%80%98shocking_truth%E2%80%99_about_the_%E2%80%98occupy_crackdowns%E2%80%99_offers_anything_but_truth/?page=1

[Jello Biafra]

152. Here's his view on Occupy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UxdJHusNTQ&feature=related

[myrna minx]

109. K&R - Welcome to our police state. nt

[woo me with science]

127. We are at a turning point. The people are realizing that both parties are purchased,

and our own government has taken sides against us. K&R

Support OWS.

[woo me with science]

128. Kick. nt

[SidDithers]

145. Kick

Sid

[sabrina 1]

154. Big effort to discredit Naomi Wolf right now.

[Juneboarder]

156. I'm not buyin it!

:)

[sabrina 1]

157. Me neither!

:hi:

[woo me with science]

159. Well, of course.

When you don't have an argument, smear the messenger.