Wednesday, October 26, 2011

"Occupy: What's That About?"

It's time to Break It Down!

In many circles, the NBT (Next Big Thing) is the Occupy Movement.  It started as the Occupy Wall Street(OWS) protest, and has subsequently spread across this country, and ultimately on to many cities around the world.  I will devote the space in today’s post to taking a few minutes to explore the phenomenon that has garnered an abundance of headlines, yet, managed to defy being defined in clear and concise terms.

Occupy is organic; each day it continues to grow and evolve.  It has managed to puzzle pundits, politicians, and prognosticators, alike.  Most conventional wisdom standard bearers profess the movement has failed to distinguish itself as having formal goals, or even a discernible message.  In response to this suggestion:

  • Princeton University professor Cornel West has characterized Occupy as a democratic (small d…as in the democratic process) awakening, which would be difficult to reduce to a few demands.
  • Washington Post opinion writer Katrina vanden Heuval said at this time, the primary goal of the movement is to grow in size.
  • One member of the New York City General Assembly insisted OWS will not issue demands, because “demands are for terrorists and that is not who we are.”
While there may be an absence of defined goals or specific demands, the key points the movement has emphasized related to the historic gaps in economic and social disparity, and corporate greed, power, and influence.  The movement has appropriated the slogan "We are the 99%," which refers to the difference in wealth between the top 1% and the rest of the citizens of the United States.

By early October, 2011, similar demonstrations were either currently unfolding, or had been held in 70 major cities, and over 600 United States communities.  On a global scale, "Occupy" protests have sprung up in over 900 cities worldwide. 

In no sense should this be surprising, since fallout from the recession which began in United States in December, 2007, and lasted until June/July, 2009, eventually spread to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and of course, South America.  Even though the recession ended in the United States more than two years ago, the economy has remained sluggish, and we are buffeted periodically with predictions of a double dip recession.

Add in the debt crisis that plagues Greece and other European nations, and it’s relatively easy to see how/why the economic malaise that is strangling any potential for vibrancy in the United States economy has gone globally viral.  Arguably these protests were also inspired, at least to some degree by the events of the Arab Spring, which is euphamistic terminology for a series of protests in the Middle East that include the following countries:

  1. Tunisia
  2. Egypt
  3. Libya
  4. Bahrain
  5. Syria
  6. Yemen
  7. Algeria
  8. Iraq
  9. Jordan
  10. Morocco
  11. Oman
  12. Kuwait
  13. Lebanon
  14. Mauritania
  15. Saudi Arabia
  16. Sudan
  17. Western Sahara
  18. Clashes along the border of Israel
These Middle Eastern protests began last spring, hence the moniker Arab Spring.  The passion displayed in this movement was broadcast around the world, and the change process wrought by the protesters was undoubtedly endemic in generating many of Occupy’s protests.

As I noted earlier, a number of politicians have been puzzled; left to figure just what to think about the Occupy Movement.  GOP frontrunner Herman Cain went on record in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, saying, “I don’t have the facts to back this up, but I believe these demonstrations are planned and orchestrated to distract from the failed policies of the Obama Administration.”  After testing this warm-up line, he went on to suggest, if you’re not rich, “Blame yourself.”  In keeping with what has become Mr. Cain’s propensity to be forced to walk back wacky pronouncements, he later recast his criticism by saying, the Occupy protesters should be “Standing in front of the White House.”

Other Republican Presidential candidates have also altered, toned down, made an about-face, or at-least a three-quarter turn on the subject of Occupy.  This sort of recalibration is consistent with a number of them, and their original criticism of the Occupy protesters.  Democrats(Big D; the Political Party) have been somewhat less critical, but no less uncertain what to make of the buzz associated with this movement. 

Indeed, I think Democrats collectively are adrift, still trying to determine what to make of Occupy, while the GOP seems more apt to see the protesters as trying to establish a political alter ego to the Tea Party Movement, and therefore, opposed to them and their efforts.  President Obama has said he believes the movement reflects widespread frustration with the state of the country’s financial system.  While he has not exactly fashioned and extended a ringing endorsement to the effort, he has appeared to make a modest effort to align the actions of the movement with what he perceives as the interests of the country.

For a movement that has gained so much notoriety worldwide, but especially throughout the United States, there is still much that is broadly unknown about OWS.  Perhaps nothing rates higher on the list of unknowns than the fact the movement, while leaderless (a Tea Party hallmark), was conceived by a Canadian enterprise; a company known as the Adbusters Media Foundation.  Adbusters is a not-for-profit, anti-consumerist, pro-environment, Company, founded in Vancouver, British Columbia. Understandably, given the tenets upon which Adbusters is founded, many critics characterize the company as anti-capitalist.

Despite misgivings by its critics, organizers envisioned a peaceful occupation of Wall Street aimed at protesting and addressing corporate influence on democracy, a growing wealth disparity, and the absence of legal repercussions following the global financial crisis; especially those aspects of it which emanated from Wall Street.  Proposed in mid-July, the movement gained a foothold in the American psyche by early fall.

A single simple demand served at the catalyst for jump starting OWS; “a presidential commission to separate money from politics.  Activists from a second group, Anonymous, encouraged its followers to participate in the protest march.  In do so they also asked followers to “Flood lower Manhattan, set up tents, kitchens, peaceful barricades, and ‘occupy Wall Street,’” which became the sobriquet of the movement.

It is too early to tell how successful OWS will become.  It is not known yet whether the movement will evolve into one with a litany, or even a list of more defined goals.  We have no idea whether the activists of the American Fall will maintain their activity steadfastly throughout the coming “winter of their discontent.  We certainly have no idea whether the erstwhile leaderless movement will morph into some politically effective change mechanism that may affect the outcome of the 2012 Presidential Election.

So what is the answer to the QOTD (Question of the Day), “Occupy: What’s That About?”  At this point, the answer is even less clear than mud.  There is much speculation, but quoth the Raven; I mean Rick Perry, such conjecture is “All hat and no cattle.

I’m done; holla back!

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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

"What Goes On In Vegas: The CNN Western GOP Presidential Debate

It's time to Break It Down!

Reader Advisory: This post contains strong language, which may be considered offensive!

Crabs in a barrel Syndrome, followed by the Clash of theTitans, embellished by cameo appearances of the non-featured actors (candidates); then, the closing credits, augmented by a post card from the poor kid, ostensibly left “Home Alone.”  That’s my CliffsNotes-like summary of the CNN Western Republican Presidential Debate that took place last night in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Just to provide a modicum of perspective, allow me to frame the events as they unfolded, based on what I saw.  The Debate turned quickly into an every man and woman (there were no children among the candidate’s, though that was not always clear) take-a-swing at Herman Cain’s inimitable 999 Plan.  At another venue, Michele Bachmann had already suggested that if you turn the 999 upside down (666), you’ll find the Devil is in the details.  Never let it be said Republicans have no sense of humor…though I am reasonably confident the Congresswoman was not joking.  During one particularly amusing segment, Mr. Cain and Governor Romney engaged in facsimile of the Abbott & Costello “Who’s on First“ skit, substituting apples and oranges for the players.  Funny stuff, I tell you!

This piling on, was a calculated and predictable gambit that I presaged weeks ago, when Mr. Cain won the Florida Straw Poll.  At that time I noted that the Hermanator’s rise was at least in part due to the fact that as a perceived inexperienced (politically) outsider, he was not a threat.  This view led all his fellow candidates to attack each other, especially the front runners, while leaving Mr. Cain unscathed.  His rise to the top or near top of the heap was certain to dictate a change in outlook, and tactics by his fellow competitors.  And it did last night.  In effect, the six other candidates present jumped on Herm like “crabs in a barrel.”

After each candidate made it clear why he or she believed 999 was a fleeting novelty, the focus shifted to Governors Romney and Perry, the perceived Titans in the field.  They duked it out on illegal immigration and job creation.  On a couple of occasions, the former Massachusetts Governor all but told the Texas Governor to STFU, or in more polite terms, “Quiet please; don’t you know I’m speaking?”  At one point, he went to lecture Governor Perry about the conventional etiquette of listening, and chided him to do more of it, if he wanted to be President. 

The Texas Governor, in what some analysts deemed his best debate to date, called the Massachusetts Governor a hypocrite (and implied he was lying).  Because they were positioned next to each other, the confrontational nature of their tiffs was heightened, and on full display.   

It is important to note that while on paper, or based on polling, the race appears to be winnowing down to a 3-candidate field.  However, based upon the all important notion that people vote with their wallets before going to the polling booth, the money poll tells an interesting and compelling story.  The details through the September 30th, the Second Quarter of Campaign fundraising (Third Quarter of the year), show the following results:


  • 1Q: $0 (not a candidate at the time)
  • 2Q: $17.2 million
  • Total: $17.2 million
  • Cash on Hand – $15.0 million
  • Debt: $339,113


  • 1Q: $18.2 million
  • 2Q: $14.2 million
  • Total: $32.4 million
  • Cash on Hand – $14.6 million.
  • Debt: None


  • 1Q: $4.5 million
  • 2Q: $8.2 million
  • Total: 12.7 million
  • Cash on Hand – $3.6 million
  • Debt: None


  • 1Q: $4.1 million
  • 2Q: $4.5 million
  • Total: $8.6 million*
  • Cash on Hand – $326,614
  • Debt: $3.14 million
  • *Almost half, $4.2 million of the $8.6 million dollars Governor Huntsman has raised came from Governor Huntsman


  • 1Q: $4.2 million.
  • 2Q: $3.9 million?
  • Total $8.1 million.
  • Cash on Hand - $1.3 million
  • Debt: $549,604


  • 1Q: $2.5 million
  • 2Q: $2.8 million
  • Total: $5.3 Million
  • Cash on Hand – $1.3 million
  • Debt: $675,000


  • 1Q: $2.1 million
  • 2Q: $807,962
  • Total: $2.9 million
  • Cash on Hand – $353,416
  • Debt: $1,192,865


  • 1Q: $500,000
  • 2Q: 704,199
  • Total: $1.2 million
  • Cash on Hand – $189,556
  • Debt: $71,866

  • Tim Pawlenty

  • Campaign ended two months ago; still owes $400,000

  • Thad McCotter

  • 3Q: $61,424 raised; just over $1,500 on hand as of 9/30
Judging the story, as told by polling numbers, one could make the case that the GOP race is trending toward rounding into a 3-man field.  But…unless other candidates accelerate their fundraising, it may soon morph into a two-man contest.  Governor Perry is tracking third in most polls.  However, one must be mindful Perry has managed to lead in the quest to raise money in the quarter just ended, and to place second in total funds raised. 

There is no question, Herman Cain may yet level the playing field in this category, but for now, he trails not only Governors Romney and Perry, but also Congressman Paul, Governor Huntsman, and Congresswoman Bachmann.  It is more than fair to say, Mr. Cain has to make-up some ground, or face the possibility of becoming yet another frontrunner who could not hold on to the lead.  For the time being, he is positioned well, according to the polls:

Polling Data

Poll
Date
Sample
Romney
Cain
Perry
Gingrich
Paul
Bachmann
Huntsman
Santorum
Spread
RCP Average
10/3 – 10/16
--
23.9
23.4
12.9
8.3
8.1
4.9
1.7
1.7
Romney +0.5
10/14 - 10/16
416 A
26
25
13
8
9
6
1
2
Romney +1
10/12 - 10/12
1000 LV
29
29
9
10
5
4
2
2
Tie
10/7 - 10/10
484 RV
22
30
14
15
5
5
2
1
Cain +8
10/6 - 10/10
336 RV
23
27
16
8
11
5
3
1
Cain +4
10/6 - 10/10
410 A
23
19
10
7
13
5
2
--
Romney +4
10/6 - 10/9
391 A
24
16
13
3
6
4
0
1
Romney +8
10/3 - 10/7
1064 A
20
18
15
7
8
5
2
3
Romney +2

In their cameos, the non-featured candidates took turns making sure the cameras caught their best side.  They advanced an array of talking points, including:

  • Newt Gingrich – Argued in his closing statement that the media (CNN’s Anderson Cooper) framed the questions in such a way as to promote strife and divisiveness among the candidates (No mention of the way they (candidates) responded to audience questions)
  • Ron Paul – Intimated that he would cut aid to Israel (which incredibly, did not result in a single admonishment from the other candidates)
  • Michele Bachmann – Noted that by a date certain, she will build a fence along the entire border (with Mexico; no mention of Canada); she added that the person who has the real problem with illegal immigration is President Obama, whose aunt and uncle are illegal immigrants
  • Rick Santorum – Asserted that Governor Romney’s advisors helped create Obamacare, and that he (Governor Romney) has no credibility on claims he would eliminate it
As far as the closing credits are concerned, it is important to not lose track of the fact, one of the eight active candidates for the GOP nomination was absent last night.  Governor Huntsman announced several days in advance of the Vegas Debate that he would not attend/participate.  He framed his decision as a function of protesting the decision by the Nevada GOP to change the date of the Nevada Primary to occur before the scheduled date for the New Hampshire Primary, traditionally, the first in the nation.  Some analysts have suggested the real basis for the former Utah Governor’s decision was financial.  His fundraising efforts have lagged; he has personally provided almost half the funds he has raised.  Of even greater concern, his anemic position in the polls is, by almost any measure, pathetic; less than 2%. 

In effect, his actions were akin to mailing in a post card; he panned the Debate from a Town Hall meeting he attended in New Hampshire, held at the same time as the Debate.  The Governor likened the Debate to a game show, and in doing so, also made sure he also took obligatory shots at 999, and got in a cameo attack on Governor Romney.  He said “Cain will likely play the roulette wheel and he’ll be focusing on getting the ball on 9,9,9.”  As for the former Massachusetts Governor, he said, “Romney will likely be staying at Trump Towers because he’s already won the apprenticeship for the presidency.”

In conclusion, “What Goes On In Vegas: The CNN Western GOP Presidential Debate,” for last night, anyway.  The eighth debate; fifth since Labor Day, is in the books.  Stay tuned for the next outing, scheduled for November 9th, in Rochester, Michigan I’m done; holla back!