BLOGS/COLUMNS - OCCUPY MOVEMENT
Misdirected Occupying Personally Speaking by Sam Person
A Shameful Occupation The Observation Post by Vicki Crawford
Let's Discuss "Occupy" Naples Tea Party by Barry Willoughby
The Cost of Occupation The Observation Post by Vicki Crawford
Media Coverage: Tea Party vs. Occupy Wall Street Personally Speaking by Sam Person
Capitalism vs. Cooperation The Social Critic by Eddie Filer
My Opinion Of Occupy Naples Naples Tea Party by Barry Willoughby
What is the message that the Wall Street Protestors are trying to send? Steve DeFillippo’s Point of View
Class Warfare? Really? The World According to Me by Roger Berkley
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NAPLES — When Occupy Naples gathered last month, more than 300 marched through the downtown Naples area, passionately protesting. Saturday, for the second rally, fewer than 100 protesters made signs and vehemently voiced their frustrations.
But those who came wanted to be seen. And they wanted to be heard.
"Yep, the 99 percent actually lives in Naples, too," quipped retirees Steve Hemping and Mike Stone, referring to those without the world's wealth. "It's hard to believe, but you can believe it."
During three hours of marching, chanting and conversing Saturday, the participants were adamant about pioneering social and financial reform.
As they walked along Fifth Avenue South, passing the lush landscaping and popular restaurants, protesters bellowed statements such as: "What does democracy look like?"
To which others responded, "This is what democracy looks like!" Red, white and black signs were met with either cheers and thumbs up, or snubs and stares.
"This is ridiculous," said Christian Lefave, 28, a construction company owner from Windsor, Ontario. "I don't think they're accomplishing anything."
Lefave and his friend, Brittney Hoffman, 29, ducked between protesters on Fifth Avenue South, weaving toward the crosswalk at the U.S. 41 intersection.
"They're disruptive, unsafe, causing traffic," Lefave said. "They're costing the taxpayers money, too, by tying up police just so they have special accommodations."
Though the march allowed people to be heard, Hoffman questioned what the purpose of the protest was.
"Do they know why they are protesting?" she asked. "Do they actually know what they are talking about here to make a big protest?"
Though often criticized for not having a direct goal or purpose for the marches, Saturday's rally in Naples did have a clear theme: Citizens are frustrated.
It's frustration that unifies them, but the source of that frustration varies by individual.
"They're upset about so much, they can't say just one thing," Dr. Richard DelBoccio, a Naples dentist, said before entering Sushi-Thai on Fifth Avenue South. "People are holding different signs showing what's wrong. It's not just war, it's the sales tax, it's the job cuts, it's everything."
People came out of their shops or looked up from their meals as the distant chants, "hey corporation, give it back," approached. One observer said to John Ricco: "What are you protesting?"
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"Everything," Ricco, 73, a Naples-area resident, fired back.
Many of Ricco's family members, including a grandson, did tours in Afghanistan and he wants the war to stop. But, for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, the protest meant another chance to demand better pay for farm workers.
While the fervor continued from the previous protest, there wasn't the strength in numbers as before.
Karen Dwyer, a former high school English teacher and college professor, organized the protest Saturday and pointed to a lack of publicity for the dwindling numbers.
"The biggest problem was letting people know we're protesting," Dwyer said, confident that more people will be made aware of the protests in the future.
But to Lefave and Hoffman, the number of people isn't the point.
"There's no one here to make a decision," Lefave said. "This is a tourist destination with retirees."
Naples-area residents Barbara Bolcavage and Rich Rossi, authors of the book "Saving Middle America: Securing Financial Dreams," said grassroot efforts spur reform.
"It has to start with the people," said Bolcavage, who wasn't marching with the protesters. "We live in a capitalistic society, and they're going to do what capitalistic societies do. It has to start with them. They're tired of being taken advantage of."
The protests began in New York City on Sept. 17 with Occupy Wall Street. Within a month, they had spread worldwide. Simultaneously, 951 cities and 82 countries participated in "Occupy" protests on Oct. 15.
"Instead of a government run by corporations and other special interests, we want to change campaign finance laws to get politicians out of the pockets of lobbyists," a flier for the protest reads. "(We want to) overturn the notion of corporate personhood ... properly regulate and control corporations for the common good."
May After Five, Marco Island Chamber
Catch of the Day: May 23, 2013
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 32
blogsmog writes:
'occupy' Naples..? How about 'We want what they have, but don't want to work for it' Naples...
OldMarcoMan writes:
How about ' If you want Government to listen,, VOTE"
jlare46#234008 writes:
What are you protesting, Ricco answers "everything",
What a joke, get a job you low-lifes and work your way up the ladder like everyone else.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
For an American a great statement. And so true.
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
Idiot...Vote? For What? Obama? Romney? Cain? It makes no difference. They're all the same. Spend, spend, spend! Never stop. Why? Because they can't get elected if they stop spending. Your vote doesn't count once these people get into office. The only vote that counts then are the lobbyist votes, the votes that lead to campaign contributions. You are just one of the many idiot Boomer generation that believe the lies.
Watch Greece, then Italy, then basically the entire EU. They are either going to blow up, or the ECB is going to crank up the printing press (most likely outcome) unless the Germans say no due to the fact that they have experience with hyper inflation. Either way the EU is finished.
As to OWS, they don't want free stuff, they do want jobs. What they really want is government to stop spending they're future, they're kids future, and there grand kids future into the toilet. Going after the business, and banks that lobby and give money to politicians for favors seems to be the best way to do it. Cut off the snakes head in order to control it, I guess.
Keep your eye on the ball oldmarcoman. Voting isn't the ball. 2008 is going to look like a picnic compared to what is about to spread around the world!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"Either way the EU is finished."
BS! Before the EU is finished America is done. Face the reality. America is in charge for the biggest economical crisis since the 30. America has the biggest debts in history. America has 50 states and they are all united under a federal government. The EU has not. Who is rated AA+? America. Who has the lowest education standard worldwide? America. Who has no idea to go out of their own crisis? America.
Slow down and face the reality. America is on downfall. And by the way. Who is the biggest lender in Greece? America. Americas bankers are crooks. That is the reality.
liberator100 writes:
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blogsmog writes:
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WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
You must be joking? The Euro is an experiment gone bad. 17+ countries that all speak different languages, have different cultures, different economies, etc. The EU is going down. The ECB can't print like the FED can with out leading to horrible consequences in the EU.
Being the world reserve currency is a huge plus to the USA. Everything in the world is traded in $ making it almost impossible for us to hyper inflate the $. The Fed can drive the value of the $ down by printing but in doing so we are exporting our inflation all over the world in the price of commodities. Not good I know. It also hurts Americans.
Trust me, The Euro is going down! USA biggest lender to Greece? Warren Buffet, or Bill Gates could bail out Greece. The problem is Greece is the match, Italy is a ton of kindling that will roar into a forest fire. History will show the Italian people are not fond of other people trying to control them. Wait till the Italians tell the ECB and IMF to shove their austerity measures where the sun don't shine! The Greeks will do the same, so will spain, Portugal, and so on. Want to bet?
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Sure I want bet! Because your opinion is based on a country called America 50 years ago. Today America is straight down on downfall. America has the highest debts in history. In addition and consequently rated AA+! Soon AA!
Neither Warren Buffet or Bill Gates can bail out Greece. If they can, they will have an opportunity shortly. Greece will go to bankruptcy. No doubt about that anymore. That means a collapse for Americans bank system if Bill and Warren say NO! And they will say NO! President Obama forced the better states in Europe to race their debts. That will not happen either. If you have a little bit know how about government fiscal policy, you will know that PRINTING money is the worse of all opportunities. Look at our new bridge at Marco Island. Paid with printed money. Who will pay for that? Your grand-grand kids. You create for Americas youth an unbelievable catastrophic future. You know why? The American education system is so bad, nobody can understand that. What was the reason for the Republicans to make a deal with President Obama in the debts crisis 2 month ago? They will buy time to get the force back. Nothing else. All this politicians forced America to downfall have never to take personnel consequences. No Bush, no Cheney nobody. The bill is for future generations. Bad situation.
The only analyses you did right is of course 26 nation under just a currency umbrella in Europe. Very bad. But can you explain me WHY the US$ is compare to the EURO still weak? You can not. I can: The US$ is worthless. If China put his billions of US$$$ on the market, America is done. Europe is still alive. So pray to god, that Americas great President Obama has another 4 years in office. He is the only guy who can balanced Europe/USA/China. The right man, to the right time, on the right spot. On this point America is blessed!
happy6 writes:
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WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
I did not mean that literally Buffet or Gate would bail out Greece. My point is their economy is very small. Yes the US has unsustainable debt. Also, the US is the world reserve currency. That means a lot.
So this morning the Italian 10 year bond yield is 10%, spreading to French bond yields. Soon Spain and Portugal bonds yields begin to blow out. Then What? I will tell you. The ECB begins to print like crazy. There is no other option. The Germans will not like this. May even leave the Euro or force the weak nations out. I don't know. By the way, the unsterilized bond purchases being done by the ECB are nothing more than "printing money" to support the bond markets in the EZ, it is failing! The Euro, it's done, stick a fork in it!
The US will suffer the same fate eventually. When the markets figure out that we can't pay our debts bond yields will rise and no amount of printing to control yields will matter. The western world never allowed the last down turn in the economy to clear the bad debt. There is no turning back now.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"When the markets figure out that we can't pay our debts bond yields will rise and no amount of printing to control yields will matter."
Who told you that? How will you bring out America of the biggest crisis since ever? Americas products are weak. The most consumer products are produced in far east. Just with McDonald, Microsoft, apple and Boeing you can not compete products from the global market. Did you ever count the automobiles on Marco Island streets branded in Germany or Japan? How will you go rip of the biggest real estate inventory in South West Florida (1.2 million properties) if 15 % of Americans living at the poverty line and below?
You are the typical American dreamer. America is on the way TO BLOG HIS OWN FUTURE. Face the reality. The best example for you is MIPD. Not necessary at all. Costs a lot of money. On top the Sheriff. Why? Americans local government run America in the ground. Terrible but true.
Germany will never leave the Euro zone. As the Euro was established in late 90's the US$ was 56 cents for one Euro. Today it is even by the big Euro crisis still $ 1.36 for one Euro. Why? America is weak. Just President Obama can handle this crisis. He is a great and serous President. Hard to believe for you. But the truth.
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
Maybe you don't read English very well? Maybe you don't understand economics? Do you understand what rising bond yields mean? They mean the cost to borrow is higher. Every nation sells debt (bonds) to fund there government. The higher the yield the higher the debt service. Yes you are correct. America has spent itself into oblivion. You are wrong to believe that the Euro Nations haven't done the same and are actually years ahead of us.
Germany will never leave the Euro? Germans must be the nicest people in the world? You are saying they will bail out Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and France all on the backs of German taxpayers? I doubt it. If you are a German you have certainly been told what happened to your country after WW1? You think the Germans will risk a repeat of that and stand by and watch the ECB print Euros. I doubt it. I'm happy you are so patriotic. So now I will be. Without America there would be no Euro Zone.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"You are saying they will bail out Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and France all on the backs of German taxpayers?"
NO! I never said that. The biggest lender for Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, France and even Polen and Bulgaria are Americas banks. They are not covered anymore. They have no guarantors. Why do you think President Obama forced European countries to follow America and turn on the printing presses? But I am pretty sure, it will not happened.
"The higher the yield the higher the debt service."
Not really correct. If a nation will be rated down - for example America to AA+ - the higher the debts services. Another fact you will ignore. If you put the entire credit line America gave to bankrupt nations, you learn immediately that no nation can bailed that out.
Neither Germany or China.
But my images and yours together are not big enough to see what's coming up if we go in a hardcore inflation. I bet you: GOLD will go before Christmas to over $ 2000.
I am not a patriot at all. This hokuspokus is reserved for America. I am a realistic thinking old guy.I still hope that the President will race taxes, cut the defense budget by 50% and invest in better education. Otherwise you have top learn soon Hindu or Mandarin.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"Without America there would be no Euro Zone."
If you are right, than it was a bad decision for America. The crisis in Europe, which is the result of the financial crisis broke out in the United States of 2008, is in the United States more and more to the point that current analyses for. For the political elite, the drama on the other side of the Atlantic represents a welcome diversion from the own debt disaster. It is a looming nightmare for renowned US economists. The euro can break "at all times", warns Nobel economic laureate Joseph Stiglitz of Columbia University. According to Stiglitz "the cost-cutting measures in Europe and America is a suicide pact". For the United States, which is three months after the spectacular downgrading their top credit significantly cheaper debt can, because the return of the ten-year bond from 2.70% to 2.0% Please is, much to the game.
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
American banks are not the largest buyers of PIIGS debt. The ECB and European banks are, along with some other nations, Japan, China, UK, etc.
Credit rating means nothing to America at this point. We are the world reserve currency, everything around the world is traded in dollars, oil being the most important. There is always demand for US $. For now at least.
You are correct. There is not enough money in the world to bail out all the nations that have spent and promised too much to there citizens. Almost all of the developed nations. We all will eventually meet the same fate when government promises are broken to their citizens because servicing the debt is consuming all or most of the tax revenue. If this happens sooner rather than later the baby boom generation will be destroyed by loss of their pensions, 401k's, social security, medicare, rx drugs, maybe even bank accounts. B of A has around $1`Trillion in deposits alone. Good luck FDIC. The failing of Euro zone banks could spread around the globe like a forest fire. We could all wake up to the scenario I just described tomorrow morning.
This is why the Occupy movement has started. They understand that their future, their kids future, and grand kids future is being destroyed by the banks and corporations that pay the politicians to allow them to regulate themselves, change the rules to suit themselves, etc. Unfortunately most of these people don't understand the workings of politics and economics and don't know where to start. They just understand something is wrong.
It would be wise for us to help them figure out how to fix a broken system. Or...you can vote for Obama, or Romney and continue the same path we have been on for the last 98 years. Looks like that will end well for us?
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"Looks like that will end well for us?"
I do not believe but I wish us all luck for that. Whether you stay in Europe or America. Is all the same situation. If America failed, the world is done! if Europe failed the world is done. Maybe December 21, 2012 is very close.
happy6 writes:
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WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
"Looks like that will end well for us?"
That was sarcasm!
You really should go back to your own country. When the time comes that we all need knowledge (my word) and "luck" (your word). You may be much better off where you came from. Knowledge and preparation will be key. Relying on luck will get you killed. Prepare accordingly. I wish you well!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"You really should go back to your own country."
That is a statement of a very small thinking person. Real American like. If the arguments are poor, personnel insults and attacks. Nothing else than the dreams of an American from yesterday. Maybe you read the statement of one of the best US top economist again: "The euro can break "at all times", warns Nobel economic laureate Joseph Stiglitz of Columbia University. According to Stiglitz "the cost-cutting measures in Europe and America is a suicide pact". You understand that? Maybe not. Average Americans are not so smart anymore. That is sarcasm and not personal.
blogsmog writes:
Studerbaker: When is Europe(Germany) going to repay the US for WWII?
KlausStoertebeker writes:
What a stupid question! Germany paid every cent back to USA what was subject of all international and bilateral contracts. Are you a revanchist? Sounds so. Or just dump. Like usual for Americans asked this kind of questions. And very insulated. Shame on you.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Same level like Greece people. You are in good company. Congratulation. Rated now CCC!
blogsmog writes:
Studerbaker, heres a dump question...are u upset that the USA at any point and time can go across the pond and dominate Germany?? I do believe this is where your hatred from America stems from you Domkoff..
KlausStoertebeker writes:
YOU are right: Dump question.
happy34145 writes:
Studerbaker you really are a domkoff. where do you think blogsmog got the word 'dump' from????
Shame on you for for putting down this great nation!
Happy veterans day.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"Shame on you for for putting down this great nation!"
You think I have so much power. Interesting. But just America themselves can put them down. And is doing this very successfully. Just for your personal education. the right spelling is: Dummkopf! Like you.
blogsmog writes:
I thought it was spelled DUMPkoff...HAHAHAHA
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Unfortunately even a great nation has geniuses like above. I feel sorry for America.
blogsmog writes:
KlausStoertbeker will be forever known on this blog site as 'DumpKoff'.
and if he changes his alias to avoid the title-'dumpkoff' we will no what his new alias is. Just think of how 'Shultz' from Hogans Heros would repond on these blogs and you will know ...thats the 'dumpkoff' KlausStoetebeker.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
And blogsmog will be remembered as a typical American genius not even smart enough to write a blogname right. Americas best standard of minimum education = blogsmog. Nothinh else than smoke. ANY QUESTIONS?
But in his dreams he is Colonel Klink.
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