Blacklisted Occupied State of the Union Address

[Rojo]

Mcsheffe wrote: .In other posts I have mentioned using the main steam print media to reach the middle class masses to really get this movement going without the masses we go nowhere!!!All we are doing is talking to the same people over and over again.

Agreed.

[Sugar]

The concept was to write it for the masses, as an outreach project, but many of the more radical among us here and at OWS, had wanted new edits to be done. I am happy with where the speech finished, as far as a message to the general public. But since it is not going to happen, I may change it up to my personal views and record it anyway. We will see.

Not sure if there would be support for money. I like the idea but I think people would object to it being too main stream media like that, and paying money to a bought media outlet.

If were going to buy ad space for anything, I would suggest CTA ads. They are actually REALLY cheep and would be supporting the CTA which employees many of those we are fighting with and for.

But perhaps I can work on something for fliers.

[BenBurton]

That's a valid point, Ben. But reading Education 01's entire post just gives me that kind of vibe. Maybe it's just me.

I agree that the original post comes across as teen angst but the future isn't written and we all an have a part to play to help steer this movement's direction. If one person can allegedly distort this, many or even one can revert it back.

[Rojo]

Sugar wrote: I like the idea but I think people would object to it being too main stream media like that, and paying money to a bought media outlet.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm kind of getting annoyed by seeing good ideas torpedoed because some of the elements in the movement feel they are not "radical" enough. I think it's a good idea and we shouldn't shy away from it just because it's not "radical" enough. Shit. The vast majority of people we are trying to reach are not radicals. They're about as mainstream as it gets. Maybe we need to try something a bit less radical to reach them?

Sugar, I have the number of a judge on the Southside who registers people to vote. I've been trying to get enough people interested in helping him out. If you are interested let me know. I would also like to find someone on the education comm so that we could put together some kind of teach in, and here's the important part, in the people's neighborhood. I don't want to tell them how to vote or who to vote for. That's their choice. I just want to get them educated on the issues ( pros and cons ) and get them out to vote. But we would need help doing this. I sure as hell can't do it alone.

Thoughts? I would appreciate feedback.

[mcsheffe]

Well Sugar we do have a press com and the media is always saying we have no message.Why don,t one of them that are always looking for a mic take your address and tell them here is some of it.Tell them that your address is not conclusive.Maybe it will get picked up by other and larger media groups.I read it and think it is well put together.The one problem I see with the GA is it is very intimidating for those who are not a regular idea people and not in the coffee shop group.I hope you find a way to get your message out in a large scale way.Because we really need to reach the masses.At one time the Vietnam War protest was small and radical until everyone got together then and only then did we stop it! And it took all kinds and everyone.

[Sugar]

Hi Everyone,

So there was an interesting development last night. I got a call from an OWS facilitator who is going forward with the video project anyway, because there are people who support it. This being the case, I have asked them to upload the video footage to our secured server for us to edit. I requesting that those who still want to participate, do the same.

I have been loaned a camera and will be able to record Chicago people over the weekend on Friday and Sunday.

If you would like to participate, please prepare video in a mp4 format AND send me your direct email so that I can send you the upload information and the video link for when it is complete. DEADLINE is SUNDAY.

The final speech is in the 1st post here. Please remember that this is an individual project and you are not required to read anything that you so not support, but please read everything you can. There will be a disclaimer at the top of the video stating that these are individuals and not the voice of the movement.

Email for this project: OccupiedSOTU@gmail.com

Thanks!
Sugar

[mcsheffe]

Glad to see you going forward with this project.If I had any tech skills at all I would gladly give you help.But outside of that whatever I can do just reply
Ron

[Rojo]

About God-damned time. Count me in!

[Sugar]

Just email OccupiedSOTU@gmail.com and we will work out getting you up on video.

[Sugar]

I just got this email and was asked to share it here. I love the suggestion made and will have that change reflected in the version people here can read.


Dear Sugar, anyone else who reads this, and occupy friends,

I have just read the current draft of the State of the Occupied Union message. I was amazed at how well written it is and how many important messages and ideas are included (for any of you that have not yet seen it, I am including the current draft again below). Thank you for doing this. Other than a few grammatical and spelling errors and one statement (addressed below) that I think some occupiers could have a serious problem with, I say go for it as is.

It is too bad however that it can not go out in the name of the whole occupy movement; that would have been great if we only could have agreed. I think that saying it is an Individual Occupiers statement, as you do, is a good solution though.

Really we have to quit undermining each other's efforts and instead work with each other to where we can all, or at least most of us, still support things instead. With all of the agreement within the occupy movement around quite a number of issues, it just seems crazy to me that we have not been able to agree on a basic statement about a few key political issues that need to be urgently addressed.

I agree with you completely though that occupy is a state of mind; and thank you for including all of the various ways that we can and that many of us have been occupying for decades. That said however, I think some occupiers probably don't totally get the point about saying that it is not an encampment, street closure or foreclosed home, etc. but this can be easily rectified. I would suggest saying something more like the following:

"Occupying is not really about the encampments - though they are important. Nor is it just on a street corner or in reclaiming a foreclosed home. Sure it can and does include those things, but it is also much more than that. Occupying is a state of mind."

So, on the whole I am sorry that things got so confrontational (but sometimes that happens in political organizing when people feel strongly and deeply about things). And I am glad that you have continued to work through the process and not given up.

While some within the movement may think the statement is not radical enough; I think it is a brilliant statement as written; and if it is sent out to local, state, and national media ASAP, it could easily get a fair amount of coverage. But please don't wait, send it out now if you have not already. They need to get it days before the President's speech if at all possible.

Please make sure to send it to all of the progressive web and print newsletters and magazines as well; and to Yahoo News, Huffington Post, AP, Reuters, the New York Times, Washington Post, etc. any of which could pick up and run with it.

Again, thank you from a "mainstream activist" who was arrested in a student strike during the Vietnam War when we occupied our college campus; at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant when we blockaded and occupied the plant site; and at the US Army War College protesting against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; but who has also dedicated my life to doing all of the other things that you have mentioned in the Statement as well.

Go for it.

Rob W.