HAS OCCUPY CONVERTED OBAMA?

Submitted by Weekend Warrior on

Weekend Warrior's picture

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     That Clausewitz of nonviolence, Gene Sharp, pointed out that the easiest way for nonviolence to succeed is by conversion: "By conversion we mean that the opponent, as the result of the actions of the nonviolent struggle group or person, comes around to the point of view which embraces the ends of the nonviolent actor....Conversion in nonviolent struggle thus aims not simply to free the subordinate group, but also to free the opponents who are thought to be imprisoned by their own system and policies....to separate the evil from the evildoer, to remove the 'evil' while salvaging the 'evildoer.'"


     Has Occupy started to convert Obama?  To free him from the system that imprisons him?  If Occupy keeps it up, will it prevent Obama from wimping-out again?


     Check out Obama's latest speech.  The below linked artlcle accuses him of infusing the speech with the "moralistic language that has emerge from the Occupy protests around the nation."  He warns of "the increasing income inequality." 


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/us/politics/obama-strikes-populist-chord-with-speech-in-heartland.html?partner=rss&emc=rss


 

Converted Obama ? Uncertain ....

Submitted by BlackBlock on

Nice speech and good to see he is "listening" to what OWS is saying. At least I hope he is actually listening instead getting talking points from democratic pollsters. We will also see if he veto's the National Defense Authorization Act though it seems their may be enough votes to override his "veto" if he decides to play that card.So it will be hard to determine his true feelings on that one as it may just be political posturing to make him seem to be "of the people".So I'm still quite sceptical of Obama and think his interests lie within protecting the current Corpratocracy in power.For me he is Bush lite.His opening up of a new military base in Australia makes no sense to me unless were planing more endless war.Just the other day I saw a video of Obama standing in front of an F16 and a Bradly tank on Earth day going on about how great it was that these weapons of mass destruction can now run on Bio fuel.So I'm having a hard time taking him seriously.Why do we have drones in Somalia blowing people up? How is that keeping us safe?On the other hand all of our Republican candidates,excluding Paul, have a laundry list of countries they can't wait to bomb. So I'm afraid both parties will continue with our endless war world view that US and our European allies continue to pursue.
Mahayana's picture

Obama converted ...or just saying what we want to hear?

Submitted by Mahayana on

He is either being converted or just not a fucking idiot like the other presidential candidates who are slamming the Occupy movement. It is in his best interest to verbally express sympathy towards the occupy movement because that will help his 2012 presidential campaign. Obama gives great and moving speeches but his actions are contrary to what he says. I can't take a man whose #2 contributer in the 2008 elections was Goldman Sachs seriously. A man that appoints Goldman Sach's very own Timothy Geithner as the Secretary of the Treasury to the United States is obviously not on the side of the people. 

I want to believe that he's changed but it will take a lot more than another charming Obama speech to convince me that he's not just another spokesperson for the 1%.

The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves - in their separate, and individual capacities. -Abe

cryptomnesiac's picture

Since he's supporting the

Submitted by cryptomnesiac on

Since he's supporting the provisions in the NDAA which allow for indefinite detention of Americans, without charges or trial, I'm going to take a wild guess and say he's using populist language to stall while he acts to undermine our rights and the economy. Of course, my only basis for this is his entire presidency so far.

Mike C.
Buffalo Beast - Twitter - Facebook

Fex's picture

Exactly

Submitted by Fex on

Given Obama's record in office both as President and in the Senate, and especially with the NDAA I would venture the answer to "Has Occupy converted Obama?" to be a crystal clear and absolute "No."

This applies to all Senators and Congressmen who voted "yes" to the bill as well. Pretty much meaning no one in office has been "converted." If the House of Representative support for the NDAA doesn't convince you that our representatives for both major political parties do NOT in fact represent the American people, I do not know what will. Mayhaps when folks in your neighborhood start disappearing and media spins the lack of activity as "people going out doors less."

"Word following word- I wrought words. Deed following deed, I wrought deeds." - The Havamal

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