Monthly Archives: September 2011

Occupied Wall Street

Posted on September 30, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Some of the demonstrators who promised to stay at the protest on Wall Street until their one demand was answered nearly two weeks ago are still there.  Several dozen are camping out in Zuccotti Park, a private park nearby, and … Continue reading →

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Irvine 11 verdict vindicates poor protest strategy

Posted on September 24, 2011 by David S. Meyer

An Orange County jury found 10 students guilty of two misdemeanor offenses for disrupting a speech by the Israeli ambassador, Michael Oren, at the University of California, Irvine (my school), more than a year ago.  Superior Court Judge Peter A. … Continue reading →

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Framing capital punishment

Posted on September 22, 2011 by David S. Meyer

The execution of Troy Davis, a convicted murderer who proclaimed his innocence to the moment of his death, gave us a window on the practice of the death penalty in the United States.  But Davis was not the only person … Continue reading →

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Roseanne takes it to Wall Street

Posted on September 21, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Roseanne, the comedian, actress, producer, and a sort of populist progressive, dropped in on the Wall Street occupation, and delivered brief prepared remarks, then improvised.   I got the link from someone on Facebook, because her appearance didn’t make much of … Continue reading →

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Took it to Wall Street

Posted on September 19, 2011 by David S. Meyer

The financial capital of the United States is an attractive and difficult target for activists.  Nearly 32 years ago, on Sunday, October 28, 1979 (the anniversary of the great stock market crash), the antinuclear Clamshell Alliance staged a legal demonstration.  … Continue reading →

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Take it to Wall Street

Posted on September 18, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Left activists have decided to target big business, as well as the government. Yesterday, in an event that was  months in the making, (at least) hundreds have attempted to occupy Wall Street. Announced by the anti-corporate group, Adbusters, the hacktivist … Continue reading →

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Ronald Reagan sold out conservative movements

Posted on September 15, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Successful politicians exploit, buy off, and sell out the movements that animate their campaigns.  And Ronald Reagan was a successful politician.  He came into the presidency as the embodiment of a conservative movement coalition, and left, dismissed by movement leaders … Continue reading →

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Obama backburners the environmental movement

Posted on September 9, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Successful politicians exploit, buy off, and sell out the movements that animate their campaigns.  And Barack Obama has been a successful politician. Partly because of his soaring campaign rhetoric, partly because of his personal background, and partly because of his … Continue reading →

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A day for Labor

Posted on September 7, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Successful politicians exploit, buy off, and sell out the movements that sometimes buoy their campaigns.  This American story is an old one, and it’s one that leaves activists disappointed, wary, and cynical, even especially about the politicians who do the … Continue reading →

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