Occupy Melbourne/Wall St discussion

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

We were the only country other than Bahrain to use such violent dispersal.

Really? Did you know in the UK it is illegal to protest within a mile of parliament now - just in case the politicians are upset that they aren't representing the people they claim to.

Did you know that peaceful student protests were greeted with the riot police - they didn't stay peaceful for long. Then we wonder why we have riots and blame the schools (which were on summer holidays).

I'm actually for the cost of living going down, bank managers having their pay cut in half and no bonuses (they still earn more than DH and I combined even with that) and other bank workers salary to match - after all, I bailed out the banks with my tax money, I expect to see some regulation. That's the main thing I want to see - banks not profiting from the trouble they put the financial world in.

Don't know of any system that actually works better than capitalism in practice though. Others sound better in theory but never seem to work out that way and end up worse than capitalism. Reined in capitalism would be good.

[*Ang*]

Out of curiosity and bearing in mind that a) I am not in Melbourne and therefore am unable to attend and b) I can only judge by what I read in the media so therefore my view is obviously tainted...can someone please tell me what the purpose was last night of singling out and targeting a police officer by printing his details on a flyer and handing them out? Yes I know that the flyer said that he is a "violent" person but at the end of the day was he not just doing his job?

[Miss E]

I've been reading this thread for quite awhile, but haven't said much for a host of reasons... But as per my previous post, in principle I agree with the ideals of the Occupy protestors - capitalism is out of control and better regulation is needed to ensure a more equitable society (my words not theirs). But what gets me (and disheartens me) is all the ridiculous propaganda that is being thrown around by protestors. There is so much misinformation out there, that there is very little hope of anything positive every being achieved.

But for the purpose of this discussion, I wanted to come and put some facts on the table:

1. Occupy Melbourne - City Square Eviction
This was not initiated by the Victoria Police. It was all initiated and directed by the Melbourne City Council (primarily the Mayor, Robert Doyle). While the city square is used as a public place, it is actually private property that is owned by the Melbourne City Council (MCC). The MCC decided that they wanted to evict the protestors from their land (probably because the Queen was coming to town). As any land holder has the right to do, they had the police issue eviction notices. When the protestors failed to comply with the eviction notice, they ordered the police to forcibly remove the protestors. THIS WAS NOT INITIATED BY THE POLICE, THE POLICE WERE SIMPLY DOING THEIR JOB- AS THEY WOULD FOR ANY OTHER HOLDER OF PRIVATE PROPERTY.

So let's give the police a break and perhaps focus our anger at the MCC. I agree that what happened in the City Square was disgusting and unnecessary. It goes against the very essence of democracy. But at the end of the day the police were just doing their job. 1

2. There has been no Australian Government bank bailout

I bailed out the banks with my tax money, I expect to see some regulation.

Unless you are a US tax payer, you haven't bailed out the banks. The Australian banking system is the most regulated in the world, and I believe that it is for reason that our banks (and citizens) came out of the GFC relatively unscarred.

The issues highlighted by the Occupy group (along with my personal stance) are more to do with the US and some European countries banks, who with the absence of regulation are pretty much a law unto themselves. As a result, profits are allowed to drive everything which has resulted in the economic mess the world is in today. If other countries had banking regulations even half as robust as Australia's, the world would be a much better place.

And for my own take on the situation...

Like I said to begin with, I in principle agree with the big picture ideals of the Occupy movement. But the problem here is there is no real organised protest occurring. They don't have a leader, so when they issue a statement saying that they didn't endorse the pamphlets, nobody is going to listen. If this group wants to be taken seriously (and get some outcomes) they need to work within the systems that already exist. Elect a leader/spokesperson, form some clear cut policies (rather than riding on the back of an unworkable robin hood tax proposal), lobby political leaders and perhaps even form their own political party. Then there may be some hope of them being taken seriously.

[Traveller]

I don't have a huge amount to add, except to address the point above about us not having bailed out the banks. The Flying Butter lives in the UK, where she did bail out the banks through her taxes (as did I) and I believe that is what she is referring to

However I am enjoying this thread as I was completely ignorant about what the protesters were protesting and why.

[Miss E]

I don't have a huge amount to add, except to address the point above about us not having bailed out the banks. The Flying Butter lives in the UK, where she did bail out the banks through her taxes (as did I) and I believe that is what she is referring to

Sorry, I didn't realise that - just assumed she was here.

I'm actually feeling really silly now, I was wondering what the riots etc she was referring to were - silly me

[Traveller]

Don't feel silly, it was an easy mistake to make and your post was very informative

[Cassius2]

great little article from the SMH...

Occupy Melbourne

[Cassius2]

we went to the rally and march today!

It was a great turn out and a lovely vibe