Occupy Wall Street: Support or Oppose? (OWS vs. Nativity)

[BigBallinStalin]

Basically none – I've been paying very little attention to it. (I never said I was doing a good job of caring. I have a lot of worrying about procrastination to do.)

However, apparently my sister, mother, and grandmother have all been going. I'll be going back home for the weekend next week; maybe I'll spend a night there with my sister or something. Could be interesting.

Do it! Break out the vidya camera and record something interesting.

[BigBallinStalin]

To be a part of a solution implies that I believe there is a problem. I do not think there is a problem.

And if I did think there was a problem, I'm not going to post pictures of myself holding a piece of paper on the internet.

How can you be satisfied with the status quo? How aware are you of the federal government's actions?

Do you realize how many millions of Americans and people from around the world suffer from the unintended consequences of government legislation, enforcement, wars, etc.?

...

The system of government is self-correcting and tends to stay near an equilibrium. Yea, death, poverty and other shit occur. It's been like this since the birth of civilization and I believe will continue until the end of humanity or civilization, whatever comes first. If I am content with the world I am living in, I see no point in attempting to change it, as change can be both bad and good.

Self-correcting? Near an equilibrium?

How do you explain the increasing growth of government measured in employment and spending--or more imporantly, measured in its increasing scope of authority over economic activity?

Over 120 years ago, the US government wasn't nearly as involved in the world or even in domestic affairs as it is today. So, your equilibrium model of this self-correcting government doesn't hold.

Think about it: how many mistakes has the government corrected? BP spills tons of oil and gets down on it immediately. The US government invades Afghanistan and Iraq, and well, erm, ehh... putz around. Maybe they'll leave this time... maybe not. How is that self-correcting?

Look at the war on drugs. Hardly any progress over the decades! And look at the ignored costs to society. Look at how african american communities are damaged, and for what? The government has constantly assessed the situation and corrected itself? No, it's just militarized law enforcement and burdened people with more costs.

...

[Army of GOD]

The government itself isn't self-correcting. It's an outside force...be it citizens of hte country, an outside country, or whatever.

I mean, how much longer do you think the US's world dominance is going to last?

[InkL0sed]

Even if it were perfectly self-correcting (and obviously it isn't; it is in some cases and isn't in a lot of others), apathy would never be among these self-correcting forces.

Face it, AoG, you're part of the problem. There's no harm in admitting it; I readily admit that I am also part of the problem. Though I'd say I'm better than the average Joe, I'm still politically inactive. I didn't vote last election (which was my first opportunity to). I pay minimal attention to politics these days. That doesn't mean I'm proud of it. I don't feel a need to rationalize my apathy as somehow a good thing. It's not. Apathy will never be a good thing.

If you are an "apathist", AoG, I am the opposite. I believe it's the root of all evil, all joylessness, all stupid decisions, all crimes. It's not just a moral hazard, but it makes life dull and colorless.

[Army of GOD]

If you are an "apathist", AoG, I am the opposite. I believe it's the root of all evil, all joylessness, all stupid decisions, all crimes. It's not just a moral hazard, but it makes life dull and colorless.

And I disagree. And there's no way it makes life dull. Trust.

[InkL0sed]

I'm not going to give you my rant about apathy in here because it's entirely off topic. If you actually want to hear it, PM me.

[natty dread]

Here's my diagnosis:

AoG is like a hipster. He thinks "caring about stuff" and "opinions" are just so mainstream, and he wants to be different than everyone else so he's like there's this band no-one has heard about called Apathy, he went to their last gig and there were like only 6 people so it must be good.

[Nobunaga]

... Yeah, this certainly reminds me of the Tea Party rallies.

... A call for violence:

Occupy L.A. Speaker: “One of the speakers said the solution is nonviolent movement. No, my friend. I’ll give you two examples: French Revolution, and Indian so-called Revolution.

Gandhi, Gandhi today is, with respect to all of you, Gandhi today is a tumor that the ruling class is using constantly to mislead us. French Revolution made fundamental transformation. But it was bloody.

India, the result of Gandhi, is 600 million people living in maximum poverty.

So, ultimately, the bourgeoisie won’t go without violent means. Revolution! Yes, revolution that is led by the working class.

Long live revolution! Long live socialism!”

Crowd: [Cheers.]

http://pajamasmedia.com/tatler/2011/10/ ... our-goals/

... Woohoo!!

[saxitoxin]

Great news!

#OccupyWallStreet now sponsored by Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, a division of Unilever (NYSE: UL) whose trusted global brands include PepsiCo, ConAgra Foods and CoverGirl cosmetics.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/12/ ... o-swallow/

Word on the street is #OccupyWallStreet is currently negotiating additional sponsorship opportunities with Exxon-Mobile and the Coca-Cola Corporation. Benefits to potential sponsors include logo placement on protest signs, merchandise sampling opportunities and customized, experiential marketing programs.

This could be the best opportunity for advertisers and integrated marketers in recent memory, right after the Viacom Corporation Mobile Marketing Event in DC (AKA "Rally for Sanity" or whatever it was called, already forgot).

When you're ready for a real revolution, gimme a call, losers!

#OccupyWallStreet-Style Revolution:


#Saxi-Style Revolution:

[saxitoxin]

Here's some more about #OccupyWallStreet corporate sponsor Unilever -

- CEO Paul Polman earns $4 million/year base salary, plus stock options and additional compensation for congruent directorships

- Unilever has been embroiled in controversies in India where it's been accused of using child labor and marketing their "Fair & Lovely" brand skin-lightening cream that helps Indians seeking jobs in Europe look "not as dark"

- Unilever has been denounced by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood over "sexist and homophobic" marketing of its Axe Body Spray brand

- Unilever's Suave line of shampoos and soaps is the #1 selling personal care product at WalMart

Revolution, American-style!

[BigBallinStalin]

If some of them want to eat ice cream, then big deal. OMG they're slaves to the bourgeoisie!! Capitalism again has undermined the peaceful protest and the demand for debate and critical thinking has been OVERTHROWN!! What now, my comrades?! WHAT NOW?!?

[natty dread]

Well saxi, I looked into it and it seems you're not telling the whole truth...

[saxitoxin]

Well saxi, I looked into it and it seems you're not telling the whole truth...

Endorsement of the “movement” provides an opportunity for the Ben & Jerry’s division of Unilever Corporation to engage purchasers through experiential promotional activations uniquely targeted to the brand’s demographic and psychographic of young, mobile consumers who self-identify as socially-conscious on the VALS scale of market segmentation. Possible engagement tactics include product sampling at “occupy” events and even logo-branding on protest signs. Experiential marketing opportunities are designed to help drive brand awareness, increasing sales and revenue potential for the parent company.

Anywho ... liked this photo from the Kappa Sigma house at Arkansas:

[saxitoxin]

Absolutely the best brand of #occupywallstreet supporter Unilever, Fair & Lovely --- helping Indian women stop workplace discrimination by turning them into caucasians:

[BigBallinStalin]

Absolutely the best brand of #occupywallstreet supporter Unilever, Fair & Lovely --- helping Indian women stop workplace discrimination by turning them into caucasians:

Voluntary "Westernization" for personal reasons?


SMASH IT WITH COMMUNISM!!!

[thegreekdog]

I don't see how sitting around and being apathetic about everything is somehow being part of the solution.

What I value most about the Occupy Wall Street in general is that they're annoyed at the current situation (possibly the status quo). What's interesting is that there is no political party for them (as far as I can tell), so we have this segment of the population which isn't really being represented.

I identify with them on that level, but I at least got Ron Paul advocating many things which I agree with, but still, between me and "them," there might be much agreement.

I definitely agree. I think I identify with them more than you do, but the point is that if 99% of Americans actual cared as much as these protestors (and at least attempted to educate themselves about things), we'd probably be solving a lot more problems (and doing it better, too). And I also think there's a lot of common ground to be found.

I agree with the message and loathe the messengers.

So you're "if 99% of Americans actual[ly] cared as much as they protestors" comment rings false (or at least discordant) to me. These OWS fucks are... well... fucks.

The OWS people are standing up for the "99%" in the same way that a bunch of rich white people who protest racism represent "African Americans." Except it's worse. Because most of the OWS fucks are hypocrits.

[saxitoxin]

Great news! Just saw on Twitter that one of the Ben & Jerry's 4-mpg Hummers just rolled into the Occupy Wall Street protest and is giving protesters coupons for 50-cents off the purchase of Cherry Garcia at their choice of Walmart OR Target. I'm really excited at the potential for consumer engagement of this key demographic at #OWS by the Unilever corporations's ice cream division! Also, income equality, etc.

(photo from Google Images - not at #OWS)


Let's all show our support to Unilever and protesters by giving a thumbs-up on their no-comments-allowed blog in which they detail their experiential marketing program targeting enthusiastic grassroots support for #OWS. Together, with Unilever International Consumer Products Inc. and their key distribution partners such as Walmart and Target leading the way, we can take-on the corporations!
http://www.benjerry.com/activism/occupy-movement/

Their blog is very colorful and has cartoons of cute cows on it so you know they care about the issues that impact working Americans. Amalgamated Advertising, headquartered at E. 30th St. in Manhattan, obviously put a lot of heart and passion into designing these cartoon cows! So cute! Between this and the Viacom Corporation Mobile Marketing Event Coninciding with Sweeps Month Rally for Sanity it's obvious the youth of America are chanelling the spirit of the '60's with their no-holds-barred activism!

Go go 'em you radicals - and stop and pick me up some Chubby Hubby, Axe body spray and three packages of Unilever's frozen Chicken Tonight from Wal-Mart on your way back from the revolution! THX!

[thegreekdog]

This is why we need Saxi - he does a much better job belittling than BBS or me.

[saxitoxin]

the slogans have gotten more catchy since Unilever, Inc. signed-on as title sponsor

[natty dread]

Saxi,

#1. please show where it says that the Occupy movement has actively sought sponsorhip from Ben & Jerry's, rather than the company just latching on to the cause on it's own

#2. please show where it says Unilever has anything to do with the Occupy movement... since from what I gathered from the link you posted, Ben & Jerry was acting on it's own, Unilever simply allowed it to do it because it considers it "beneficial for the brand"


I'm far from an expert, but unless this article is full of bullshit, B&J seems like a decent company: they use fair trade ingredients and stuff like that, and their company was pretty much sold against their will to Unilever.

So it would make sense to me that a company like that would want to support the Occupy movement.

[thegreekdog]

B&J seems like a decent company: they use fair trade ingredients and stuff like that, and their company was pretty much sold against their will to Unilever. And they want to capitalize on the idea that they are an anti-establishment company and cash in on the OWS movement to sell more products.

So it would make sense to me that a company like that would want to support the Occupy movement.

Fixed.

[saxitoxin]

#1. please show where it says that the Occupy movement has actively sought sponsorhip from Ben & Jerry's, rather than the company just latching on to the cause on it's own

I never claimed they did. When one gets played as a puppet it's usually not by request.

#2. please show where it says Unilever has anything to do with the Occupy movement... since from what I gathered from the link you posted, Ben & Jerry was acting on it's own, Unilever simply allowed it to do it because it considers it "beneficial for the brand"

Ben & Jerry's is the ice cream division of the Unilever Corporation. It does not have a controlling mind independent of Unilever, in both the legal and practical sense. Ben & Jerry's is just a brand segment of Unilever, in the same way that Lipton Tea, Degree Deodorant, Axe Body Spray, Suave Shampoo, etc. are brands of the Unilever corporation. To engage different consumer segments brands are given unique identities, which is the core of the marketing experience.

Ben & Jerry's, for instance, is marketed toward 18-35 year old people who identify as "Experiencers" on the VALS consumer segmentation scale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VALS). Unilever marketing managers working on the B&J accounts, therefore, invest money doing things like product sampling on college campuses, donating $10 to gay rights groups and then spending $1000 on ads telling people how they donated money to said groups, etc.

Chicken Tonight, however - another Unilever brand - is marketed toward 45+ women who identify as "Makers" on the VALS consumer segmentation scale. Unilever marketing managers working on these accounts run ads showing wholesome families in magazines like Better Homes & Gardens, sponsoring Country-Western bands, doing product sampling at Tea Party rallies, etc.

I'm far from an expert, but unless this article is full of bullshit, B&J seems like a decent company: they use fair trade ingredients and stuff like that, and their company was pretty much sold against their will to Unilever.

Just last year the Ice Cream division of Unilever (which is promoted as "Ben & Jerry's") was forced to stop labeling their ice cream as "all natural" after it was discovered they were lacing it with alkalized cola and enhanced corn syrup.

To be clear - Ben & Jerry's is not a company. Ben & Jerry's is the consumer-facing name of the Ice Cream Division of the Unilever Corporation, a $60 billion multi-national corporation whose CEO makes $40 million/year. The Ice Cream Division of Unilever (which is promoted as "Ben & Jerry's") sells a majority of their product through Wal-Mart, Target and other worker-raping chain stores, meaning a percentage of every dollar you spend on Unilever ice cream goes to support the major shareholders of Wal-Mart (AKA "the 1%").

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Yours in Professionalism,
Saxers Snackin' on Crackers

[natty dread]

To be clear - Ben & Jerry's is not a company.

How long has B&J not been a company?

Was it also not a company before Unilever bought it?

[Phatscotty]

The Tea Party has a few openings. We are actively scouting the top 1% of the 99%ers and when we recruit them we will have effectively made them the 98%ers and smashed the only message they ever had into oblivion.

Nobody will challenge the 2% after that.

[saxitoxin]

To be clear - Ben & Jerry's is not a company.

How long has B&J not been a company?

Since 2000 when the Ben & Jerry's brand name, logo and recipes were purchased by Unilever, Inc. with which to brand Unilever ice cream products.

This is what is called an "acquisition" - when a larger company purchases and absorbs a smaller company into it. The other form of merger in business is "consolidation" - when two companies on equal footing combine to form an entirely new company.

Here's a book I recommend on the topic:
Investment Banking: Valuation, Leveraged Buyouts, and Mergers and Acquisitions
http://www.amazon.com/Investment-Banking-Valuation-Leveraged-Acquisitions/dp/0470442204/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318541341&sr=1-1