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Occupy Tokyo

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Participants hold signs during a rally named "Occupy Tokyo" in Roppongi on Saturday. The demonstration was held in support of the Occupy Wall Street protest against corporate power.

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I hope it was more than 3 people...

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I hope it was more than 3 people...

well, if 3 people are the 99%, then we are in big trouble...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I hope it was more than 3 people...

normally, that much is Japan's contribution in the world affairs !

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

They will probably just be ignored by the j-gov as usual.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I wonder which PR firm organized this and made the posters. Anyone know?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

the 99% who have absolutely no idea what they are doing... the 99% who can't understand the English written on the sign... the 99% who didn't have anything better to do that day... the 99% who got paid to hold the signs...

3 ( +8 / -5 )

They were probably paid to hold signs pushing a Manga and Maid Cafe, but picked up the wrong signs. But hereandthere really hit it right.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

well since manga is now considered porn, many protesters will just be arrested for unlawful exposure

0 ( +1 / -1 )

they look so determined those three guys, they'll definitely change the world (like chavez and castro? is that what you really want you idiots?)

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Viva mediocrity!

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Some this dissing is clearly motivated by stone envy. This is because these three guys have the stones to do the protesting while the dissers stay at home typing envy because they don't have stones big enough to do anything else.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I'm entitled to you, baby.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Only in Canada and America Jared. Looks like the thumbs down person is at it again.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

To be honest, I don't know whether I support this cause or not - but it is refreshing to see Japanese people out on the streets, doing their bit to shake up the system we have. It's so not like them, and let's hope it's a sign of things to come.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What cause?

On any given day, you can find Japanese people on an actual street opining about something.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I'm sure that the "Occupy" folks in North America appreciate the show of support and solidarity.

The disrespect and contempt displayed by others (mainly Americans?) towards people peacefully demonstrating against an awful status quo will, I predict, escalate to more virulent forms of fear and loathing, perhaps culminating in the cheering on of police and/or guardsmen doing a Ludlow '14, Chicago-'68, or a Gdansk-'70 on them.

Especially as their numbers keep growing and the movement explores effective ways to make necessary change happen. The "republican" system which has enabled 1% to control the vast majority of wealth while tens of millions are suffering definitely needs to change. It is a sacred right of the people to abolish any system that is so destructive to the ends of the pursuit of happiness of so many.

With each passing day, increasing numbers of people are becoming more aware of the reality of how those running the system have totally screwed them over, and are joining in. No matter how peaceful, this gathering is going to start to terrify those who think the current system is just fine and should preserve itself by any means necessary.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

It is difficult for the public to be sympathetic to protesters who can't explain what specifically changes they want to make.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Probably, the only "solution" that will go down with the proteters (0.01% or less of the populace) is to tax the crap out of high earners. And hey, that's what the president of the USA wants (as a ploy to enable his re-election). Useful idiots, Mr. Lenin, are never in short supply. (Hope that doesn't come off as "hateful".)

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

It is difficult for the public to be sympathetic to protesters who can't explain what specifically changes they want to make.

Absolutely not true. Airing their grievances is plenty to gain sympathy and support. It all starts with pointing out the problems. Solutions are things that come later.

If when your wife complains of something, is your answer to tell her to shut up until she details the changes she wants to make? I should think not! You listen. You discuss. You hammer out a plan together. Otherwise you are talking at eachother rather than with eachother, and you have crap for a marriage. Let the ones with the firm grip on the purse strings, the corporations and the government think of the solutions and offer the compromises. They wanted the power, they got it. So that can stop abusing it for a second and do the job they wanted so badly. Any specifics offered now would just get poo-pooed, slammed on tiny details, and derided for reasons both real and pure spite, so why bother? Let the fat cats offer what they will accept. They will be making the final call anyway, provided guillotines don't make a sudden reappearance in the world!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

It is difficult for the public to be sympathetic to protesters who can't explain what specifically changes they want to make.

It starts first with a recognition that the current status quo is not going to cut it. Not by a long shot.

Second, you don't speak for "the public," just yourself. One of the first changes that the gatherings want to make deals with themselves: How to organize democratically and build real consensus for the proposed plans that will emerge.

There is absolutely no predicting how this movement will evolve, but as long as they adhere to democratic principles and processes, I have faith that it will grow positively and inspire more people -- especially the young -- to join in.

I believe that the initial awareness and rebellion against war, consumerism, and environmental havoc destroying the planet that first started in the 1960s is being reborn again with a real vengeance. As so much of the trappings and message of the Tea Party reminds of a resurgence of the United Klans of America, these occupiers remind me of the Students for a Democratic Society.

People of the world are joining in because they realize that fundamental change in the direction of the United States is going to be better for the world.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

"provided guillotines don't make a sudden reappearance in the world!"

I do protest that hatefulness.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Who digs the poignancy of the Tea Party favorite spurning identification with passé negritude?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

99% is all the rage this time of year.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"protest against corporate power"

Down with Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi, Fujitsu, TEPCO!

OK, TEPCO I can understand...

0 ( +2 / -2 )

It is difficult for the public to be sympathetic to protesters who can't explain what specifically changes they want to make.

Why the heck is this getting thumbs down. It is true to a great degree. There are so many different groups protesting so many different things, the message gets muddled. Those that say otherwise have not listened or spoken to people involved in these protests. That is a shame, because I think these kinds of movements, if done wisely, could have a small amount of influence. Failing that, they certainly at least worth trying.

Many of the average people involved in these protests just want jobs. While corruption is definitely one cause of problems. Here, dispatch companies with their temp workers with no insurance, benefits or security was the start of huge troubles in Japan and I would venture in the US as well. They should be much more closely controlled again.

For those bringing their Republican and Democratic party arguments here to this discussion: Neither of those US parties exist here and they have little or nothing to do with this particular conversation. Keep it in the World section if you please.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

ETA: That is a shame, because I think these kinds of movements, if done wisely, could have at least a small amount of influence.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Down with Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi, Fujitsu, TEPCO!

First you cut and pasted "Down with corporate power!" Then you wrote a statement that amounts to "Down with corporations!" Partly you meant it as a joke I know, but some of these people, maybe you too, cannot tell the difference between the two statements. For some, its just stupidity. For others, its spite because they were dead set against fairness in the first place, so any movement demanding fairness will get this treatment. Odd since none of you are in the one percent or ever will be.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Why the heck is this getting thumbs down.

Because its basically not true. But the one who said it desperately wants it to be.

It is true to a great degree.

Its true to a small degree, which is to say it basically is not true. But by speaking as if it is, it is being said in the hope to mislead us into thinking it is. Its not. Its not hard for us in the 99 percent to sympathize with their grievances at all. Anyone who does not know about the extreme wealth disparity in America or have half a clue why American military spending is out of control has just not been paying attention.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Serrano - "protest against corporate power"

Down with Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi, Fujitsu, TEPCO!

OK, TEPCO I can understand...

That seems to be the underlying theme of Occupy(whatever). Corporations are bad. Corporations make money. Bad corporations.

And these 3 are looking mighty lonely. Maybe one of the corporate food companies will send them a nice cup of tea.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

we're just doing it cuz everyone else is

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Because its basically not true.

Yes, it is. Please look at statements from various organizers. They vary greatly ranging from people who are angry about corruption to people talking about environmental issues. Each is their for their own causes.

But the one who said it desperately wants it to be.

You sure that is not just you projecting?

Its true to a small degree, which is to say it basically is not true. But by speaking as if it is, it is being said in the hope to mislead us into thinking it is. Its not.

See above.

Anyone who does not know about the extreme wealth disparity in America or have half a clue why American military spending is out of control has just not been paying attention.

That is what these people in the photo are there for? All of them? That is what they are there for in NYC? All of them? 99% of them. As I said, have you actually listened or talked to any of these people? That is not what they are talking about. You ask a majority of them why they are there and they will tell you, understandably, that they want a job and that if they had one, that they would not be there protesting. Don't project what you wish these people to be protesting, go and talk to them. Then tell me again who has not be paying attention.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I applaud them and everyone every where demonstrating. Demonstrations due make a difference, just see Tunisia and Egypt.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

props to these guys! can't have this world stay the way it is..protesting will make a difference

0 ( +1 / -1 )

How did the banner on the left get made? A T-shirt with random words is nonsense enough, but it works on the assumption you're just going to be passing by. This is a placard, designed to be held high at a demo, with your stated mission emblazoned for the world's media to see.

"World is possible"

I'd say at least one world is very probable. It's the poisonous cabals ruining it which need sorting. Why didn't whoever organised this just ask someone before getting her embroidery kit out? No wonder the poor get who has to hold it looks so plaintive.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I wonder if Mr./Ms. Thumbs down has actually did what I asked. Have you actually listened to what these people say? Do you know what the groups are made up of? Nah. I seriously doubt you do. Go talk to the people, then decide where to put your thumb.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I have listened to what the protestors are saying and it doesn't make sense. They seem to want someone else to make their life better for them - and that is what they are saying in a nutshell. They want the government (ie. everyone else) to payoff their college debts. Meaning, they decided to go to college, get into debt, and now don't want to be responsible for paying it off. It says a lot about the America education system when people who sign a piece of paper in which they agree to borrow money are upset by the fact that they are expected to pay it back.

The fact that there is so much government involved in everything in America life - including college loans - is the reason why Americans are in the situation they are now. I understand that young people are frustrated - I was frustrated when I graduated from college during a recession. However, I didn't get school loans and I worked more than one job at a time in order to get by and build my skills and get into a position to make a more stable life for myself. When a young person gets themselves into serious debt to go to college, that is a decision that they make because they didn't want to do it the hard way (work, save, and take longer to complete their degree).

I think it's interesting to hear the occupy wall street protestors compare themselves to the Arab Spring. The people in the Middle East simply want basic human rights. The occupy people want to be able to skip out of paying for their own decisions and crap on police cars.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Arrest Paul,

Your understanding of economics and politics is juvenile.

I'll let an expert do the talking for me:

"There’s good reason to focus on the top 1 percent instead of the top 10 or 50 percent. There is evidence that financial pay at this elite level is correlated with deregulation and the other legal changes that brought on the crisis. High-ranking senior corporate executives’ pay has dwarfed workers’ salaries, but is only a reward for engaging in shady financial engineering practices. These problems require a legal solution and thus they require a democratic challenge and a rethinking of how we want to structure our economy." -Mike Konczal, Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute.

He draws these conclusions based on a scholarly paper called “Jobs and Income Growth of Top Earners and the Causes of Changing Income Inequality: Evidence from U.S. Tax Return Data“ by Bakija, Cole, and Heim.

Konczal continues, "The paper notes that stock market returns drive much of the manager’s income...The “dominant ethos among managers today is that a business exists only to enrich its shareholders, including, of course, senior managers themselves,” and this is done by paying out more in dividends than is earned in profits."

The protestors are not now, nor ever have been, protesting corporations. They are protesting corruption, bought politicians, and government inaction to correct unethical business practices.

If you cannot grasp this concept with your limited understanding of democracy and capitalism, I am very truly glad that you are the one staying home.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Wolfpack - I think it's interesting to hear the occupy wall street protestors compare themselves to the Arab Spring. The people in the Middle East simply want basic human rights. The occupy people want to be able to skip out of paying for their own decisions and crap on police cars.

I don't see how anyone can disagree with your assessment.

There's an interesting video titled - OccupyWallSt Poster Boy A Trust Fund Baby, Attempted Stowaway At JFK - but the guys a potty-mouth so I won't post the link.

It shows Edward T. Hall III, a trust fund baby and Columbia Univ. Grad student, who was arrest earlier this year at JFK airport for attempting to board a plane, without an ID, by jumping on baggage carousel as just one more "face" of the Occupy "something" mob in NYC.

The video shows him whining about, "future cars gonna have more mileage and more sustainable stars than are on the flag"?????

Stars? Sustainable stars? Many of these protestors don't seem to have a clue as to how "reality" operates let alone a car.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

HumanTarget - The protestors are not now, nor ever have been, protesting corporations. They are protesting corruption, bought politicians, and government inaction to correct unethical business practices.

It's interesting that you seem to know what the protestors are and are not protesting for because the protestors are clearly confused and unable to articulate their goals AS A GROUP. One of them wants everyone to make $115,000 per year, another wants ALL of their loans paid off, a third wants to repeal NAFTA and free-trade agreements, a fourth demands that government take control of all labor and agriculture, a fifth is demanding that "public funding" (everyone elses tax money) pay for their housing, a sixth is demanding a shrubbery (a nice one that's not to big).

The fact is that you have no idea what these mobs are trying to accomplish and neither does anyone else.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There's an interesting video titled - OccupyWallSt Poster Boy A Trust Fund Baby, Attempted Stowaway At JFK - but the guys a potty-mouth so I won't post the link.

You won't post the link because everyone will see it's another video from Breibart -- who continually fabricates nonsense like this. The biggest lie of all is claiming that this Hall character somehow represents or is indicative of the movement as a whole. I really can't support any group that's so infused with lies as Breitbart and his fans -- who somehow believe that lying is the way to a better country.

As a way to sanitize the stench brought by Paul here, here is what Peter Beinart has to say about these folks:

This past weekend, in 900 cities across the world, tens of thousands demonstrated against unregulated capitalism. Something fascinating is growing, and by the time it ends, I suspect, politics will be different in the United States and a lot of other places as well.

In a great many countries, especially in the West, the political grass is dry. Huge numbers of young people are unemployed, governments are launching harsh and unpopular austerity programs, and the financial elites responsible for the global economic meltdown have almost entirely escaped justice. Millions of articulate, educated, tech-savvy people are enraged and desperate. And they have time on their hands.

...

The Breitbarts of the world are terrified at this prospect, which is why they have to keep the lies coming at a steady pace.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

yabits - You won't post the link because everyone will see it's another video from Breibart -- who continually fabricates nonsense like this. The biggest lie of all is claiming that this Hall character somehow represents or is indicative of the movement as a whole.

You're wrong. Anyone who looks for the video can see where it came from. Hall is a potty-mouth and that's why I didn't post it here.

Hall is just one more loney-heart demostrator that is voicing his opinion within the Occupy mob.

As a way to sanitize the stench brought by Paul here, here is what Peter Beinart has to say about these folks:

Still resorting to personal attacks, I see.

This past weekend, in 900 cities across the world, tens of thousands demonstrated against unregulated capitalism.

Where is Peter Beinart come up with these numbers? Or did he just make them up?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Hall is just one more loney-heart demostrator that is voicing his opinion within the Occupy mob.

Hall is just one. And either he's a right-wing plant or Breitbart purposely sought out and found some goof that would suit his purposes. Presenting that as indicative of the typical protester makes you reek to high heaven.

Or did he just make them up?

You mean just like Breitbart making up an obviously phony picture of the "typical" WSO protester? No, Beinart is not a liar like Breitbart and his obedient minions. The 900 number comes from news outlets with the means to do honest reporting -- like the Washington Post. The movement is real and growing rapidly.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This past weekend, in 900 cities across the world, tens of thousands demonstrated against unregulated capitalism. Something fascinating is growing, and by the time it ends, I suspect, politics will be different in the United States and a lot of other places as well.

I agree. This is what happens when people accustomed to dependency see the welfare state collapse right before their eyes. Anyone with a basic understanding of economics and history knows that socialism cannot work and is doomed to fail. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, capitalism is the worst form of economics, except for all of the others.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Arrestpaul,

I just posted this in the most recent OWS story here on JT, but for your sake I'll repeat:

According to an independent study conducted by Quinnipac University:

3 in 4 New Yorkers support OWS

72% of New Yorkers believe they should be allowed to continue their protest so long as they obey the law

72% of New Yorkers understand the views of OWS either "very well" or "fairly well"

So your tired Right-wing talking point about how they're just a ragtag bunch of anarchists with no clearly defined goals is clearly wrong.

As the New York Times editorial statement says: "It is not the job of the protesters to draft legislation. That’s the job of the nation’s leaders, and if they had been doing it all along there might not be a need for these marches and rallies. Because they have not, the public airing of grievances is a legitimate and important end in itself."

Sorry buddy, looks like you and your far-right Republican friends are the only ones in the dark.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

HumanTarget - According to an independent study conducted by Quinnipac University:

3 in 4 New Yorkers support OWS

72% of New Yorkers believe they should be allowed to continue their protest so long as they obey the law

72% of New Yorkers understand the views of OWS either "very well" or "fairly well"

People are, or should be, allowed to protest. 72% of New Yorkers believe that "as long as the protestors obey the law". It appears that a majority of New Yorkers don't believe in the confrontations with police.

It's odd that the same 72% understand the views of OccupyWallSt when OccupyWallSt has yet to make clear what their goals are. Several individuals have stated their vastly different and sometimes bizarre goals for the mob but what "view" do NY's agree with? The right to protest? That all debt should be forgiven or repaid with someone else's tax dollars? That cars run on "stars"?

How do you agree with someone when you don't know what they want and neither do they?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

yabits - The 900 number comes from news outlets with the means to do honest reporting -- like the Washington Post.

The Washington post just reprinted the original article. No matter how many times you read the same article over and over at different websites it doesn't prove the 900 came from an actual list of cities.

Do you know what cities Beinart is referring to?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

No matter how many times you read the same article over and over at different websites it doesn't prove the 900 came from an actual list of cities.

There are Occupy sites that list more than 900. What sources do you have that suggest the number of cities is less?

It's pretty rich, not to mention hypocritical, that someone foisting a stench-laden Breitbart video that totally misrepresents OWS would care so much about a number.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

yabits - There are Occupy sites that list more than 900. What sources do you have that suggest the number of cities is less?

What Occupy sites are you referring to?

Are they quoting the original Beinart article also?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Are they quoting the original Beinart article also?

Not quoting any article. They list the contacts, gatherings and events in the 1,000+ cities (and growing) around the planet.

All it takes is an elementary, cursory search. Care to cite any sources that provide comparatively solid evidence that 900 is not an accurate number? (Of course you can't.)

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

yabits - Not quoting any article. They list the contacts, gatherings and events in the 1,000+ cities (and growing) around the planet.

So you don't have any source for this number.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So you don't have any source for this number.

Of course I do. I'm looking at the site now. Over a thousand towns and cities worldwide and growing by the day.

It looks more like you don't have a source for any number.

One wonders why you can't find it, or why you care about the number at all -- since everyone knows that it would not change your views on OWS even if the number was 2,000. (Which it will be soon enough.)

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@yabits:

Of course I do. I'm looking at the site now. Over a thousand towns and cities worldwide and growing by the day.

Why not just post your link and stop arguing about whether or not the 900 number is legit or not? Well, unless it's the International Communist Party's website then forget it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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