Community | October 19, 2011 | 81 comments

Chris Hedges: "This one could take them all down"

source: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x626281

KB723
Chris Hedges: "What happens is in all of these movements ... the foot soldiers of the elite -- the blue uniformed police, the mechanisms of control -- finally don't want to impede the movement and at that point the power elite is left defenseless

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address...

"Thank Goodness we have Chris Hedges, among the others that share their experience and views of the current Issues!!!"
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81 comments // Chris Hedges: "This one could take them all down" // Video

  • toadware
  • toadware
    • +1
      toadware  

    • They need to break up these near monopolies. When was the last monopoly broken up? There should be AT LEAST 50 walmarts not just 1. Then we need to break up the big banks. Remember, too big to fail is too big to exist? What happened to that rhetoric?

    • 7 months ago
  • noxidereus
    • +2
      noxidereus  

    • My kids are my motivation as well. I did not bring children in this world to be corporate slaves in a plutocracy run by a few elite assholes.

      Also, it would be a good thing if the police, who are brainwashed into being thugs of the elite, realize that they are being used as tools of their own subjugation and took off their leashes and joined us. The tea party should shrug off their corporate co-opters too, and join us. We have to stop the elite from purposely dividing us. Only together can we really make a difference!

      E Pluribus Unum! E Pluribus Unum! E Pluribus Unum!

    • 7 months ago
  • lazloman
    • +1
      lazloman  

    • He's absolutely right about it. Things have to change. They may think they can wait this out, or maybe try to discredit them, or whatever. But the reality is that everyday more and more people are becoming aware of whose interests are actually being served in our system right now, and they don't like it. The movement can only grow as force more of their agenda on America.

      The Gravy Train is coming to an end. Its only a question of how. It can come to a graceful end or to DeMille-esque end.

    • 7 months ago
  • Mark701
    • +2
      Mark701  

    • He's correct. It brings to mind images of when the Berlin Wall came down. At a certain point Russian law enforcement and the military simply stepped aside.

    • 7 months ago
  • DanCastro
    • 0
      DanCastro  
    • Mark701:

      Over and over we have seen that in our world, "nothing is so powerful as an idea whose time has come!" (Victor Hugo). We are basically good/fair people and when someone fucks with US, we have a slow fuse, but when we get 'to the burn' we have united ourselves to fight oppression in other lands, many times, and we still know how!

    • 7 months ago
  • kvb1
    • +1
      kvb1  

    • The fact that most of the violence against the protesters in New York is carried out by the "white shirts" shows how little support that police have for enforcing laws and regulations on the movement. Those "white shirts" are the lieutenants, captains or inspectors of the police department, the management. The Blue Shirts are your everyday beat cop that has more in common with the 99%. As the situation become more desperate for the wealthy and the corporations, you will start to see defections within the ranks. When that happens, the system will collapse as the rich and powerful will have no support.

    • 7 months ago
  • Wyley_Wombat
    • 0
      Wyley_Wombat  
    • kvb1:

      Even the "white shirts" are in the 99%, they just have not figured that out yet. When things get worse they will finally get it, and as you say, there will be defections in the ranks.

    • 7 months ago
  • coolplanet
  • Des_Akkari
  • Hardytoo
    • +4
      Hardytoo  

    • This is fantastic, I think it's the best item I've seen here in awhile. Hedges is an incredible journalistic as well as possessing the ability to touch us personally with his words.
      Chris Hedges gave an interview to "Sunday Morning" a Canadian CBC radio show (link below). It's truly brilliant and I hope you'll "hear" it when you get a chance. (There is another item preceding the Hedges interview, it's an amusing piece about immigration issues - worth a listen too.)
      Thanks for this post KB.

      http://www.cbc.ca/video/news/audioplayer.html?clipid=15329089

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • letsliveinpeace
  • KB723
  • attilatheblond
  • Lisayou
  • KB723
  • attilatheblond
  • KB723
  • attilatheblond
  • KB723
  • Ambill94
    • +2
      Ambill94  

    • Wow...awesome, and I know he speaks for many of us. Like Chris I am so thankful for this movement for my children and grandchildren. The power of the movement is growing and when it reaches a critical mass, the pols will have no choice but to respond or find new careers.

      Right now both Dems and Repubs think they can continue their BS, but soon...

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
    • +2
      KB723  
    • Ambill94:

      Right now both Dems and Repubs think they can continue their BS, but soon...

      Correct, that's why I threw in the towel on both parties not doing a Damned thing for the folks that elected them quite some time ago....

    • 7 months ago
  • Ambill94
    • +1
      Ambill94  
    • KB723:

      Absolutely...Though I voted for him, it became apparent early on that the Pres was not going to lead us out of this mess when he surrounded himself with the same Wall Street and Harvard Economics 1% crowd that "W" had...

    • 7 months ago
  • theknopfknows
    • +3
      theknopfknows  
    • Image

    • I CERTAINLY WAS IN TEARS AT THE END: YES WILL THE CHILDREN PAY FOR OUR SINS! BE WHAT YOUR CHILDREN CAN SEE! MR. HEDGES I bow to thee with respect and sincerity, THANKS AGAIN!

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • Lisayou
  • cherry5000
  • KB723
  • Lisayou
  • KB723
  • GRC54
    • +2
      GRC54  

    • Great post KB. Chris Hedges has always been a class act. Thanks for sharing this. We need more like Chris in this world.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • Leen61
    • +6
      Leen61  

    • Excellent video. Chris Hedges crying at the end was so moving. This is what the 99% feel. Let this be the one to take them all down. Power to the people!

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • Leen61
  • DanCastro
    • +1
      DanCastro  
    • Leen61:

      What is also amazing is his belief that it is not possible to tell where the energy of the movement will lead next. I wish they would remember to push for jobs. A victory for OWS and the country, if we can begin to rebuild the nation and create jobs. I understand the not wanting to be co-opted, but the bill has ideas from both sides, so is not favoring one or the other and is working for jobs! Everybody says they are interested in jobs, but the repugs won't because it would help Obama and OWS won't because that would mean it was co-opted? I'm sorry, I don't get it (a job! ;-)

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • Frosty46
    • +4
      Frosty46  

    • These words and emotions from Chris are mine too! Thank you to all the brave young and old who are forwarding this movement----------at long last a possible end to the corporate thugs both in and outside the government. Remember to donate to this American revolt of truth-------

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • the1union1man2organize
    • +1
      the1union1man2organize  

    • Although I may agree on most of his points I disagree with the notion of Union bosses. A Union is only as strong as its membership and as for negotiations
      the Union bosses can only negotiate for more or less what the market will bear. Hence if you ask for $10.00 and the market can only bear $1.00 and your plant closes because you demand the $10.00 What have you gained.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • Frosty46
    • -4
      Frosty46  
    • the1union1man2organize:

      Unions have been and are controlled by the corporations just as all aspects of the power structure. Only fools fall for the BS of unionism in America. Yes unions should work as intended but sadly those in control are controlled by the corporations and carefully do their bidding---------unions need a revolt too!

    • 7 months ago
  • the1union1man2organize
    • +2
      the1union1man2organize  
    • Frosty46:

      I voted your commit down for the fact Labor Unions are a democracy and controlled by its membership.
      Unions fight for working men and women union or not. When labor unions were at there highest we all benefited, now with membership of about 8% our voices are no longer heard in the Political arena.
      With a Congress and Senate of whats in for me attitude and to hell with what is right or wrong with a legislation, We as 99% should again demand that our voices me heard again, Only collectively can we achieve this goal (Union a collection of like minded individuals).

    • 7 months ago
  • Frosty46
    • -1
      Frosty46  
    • the1union1man2organize:

      I am a strongly pro union citizen but I know from personal experiences that they are very much in bed with the corporations! Were unions the honest collective you describe they would have shut down the US the day after Raygun fired the air traffic controllers-------walk the walk and talk the talk-but DO NOT TRY TO BS ME!

    • 7 months ago
  • budsnews
  • Anonmaly
    • +2
      Anonmaly  
    • the1union1man2organize:

      I know people who work for UPS, which is one of the nations largest private employers, they also have one of the most competitive pay-scales.... Unsurprising (to me) their employees are a part of the "teamsters" union....

      Not saying that unions can't be bad, just that I have first hand knowledge of the largest union in the country, and they are good... The concept should not be dismissed. UPS continues to thrive...

    • 7 months ago
  • kgMA
    • +4
      kgMA  
    • Image
    • Frosty46:

      Frosty, as I recall, unions were in Washington, marching in protest of Rayguns firing of Air Traffic Controllers. We showed up by the thousands and did what we could against the actions of a dictator! One of several trips to Washington and one I'll never forget! It did nothing but you're correct about one thing, if they shut down the country back then, if all of the union stood as one, the union bashing would have ended right there and then. Even with the low numbers today, if all union workers stood together, they could still shut down the country and one day, it might come to be!
      As for your own personal experiences with unions being in bed with corporations, would you please explain in detail? I believe its not a fair assessment from where I've been and my personal experiences..

    • 7 months ago
  • cmc101
  • kgMA
  • Frosty46
    • +2
      Frosty46  
    • kgMA:

      kgma, thank you for your support of unions! I grew up on picket lines back in the 1950's. My father was an official with the Boilermakers in Illinois. I do not EVER cross any unions picket or informational line. Had an experience recently where I'd driven a long way to purchase parts from a Harley Davidson dealer who had informational pickets expressing concern over non-union workers doing construction at the dealers. I stopped to talk with the picketers and left without doing my business. I will never shop at that business again--ever!

      All I'm saying is the only strength unions have is the stoppage of work and this must be employed when situations warrant. Without regard for "legality" or the permission of our wonderful media whores.

    • 7 months ago
  • Wyley_Wombat
    • +1
      Wyley_Wombat  
    • Frosty46:

      I think that over the years corruption has crept into the unions, as it does with any organization and this caused them to be marginalized in the corporate media. However, the OWS movement, and the increasing rise of corporate control has galvanized the unions into remembering what their purpose is; being the voice and defender of the working class. All of this has done much to bring all that has be achieved by the unions to the forefront. The unions are and will continue to be a vital part of this movement.

    • 7 months ago
  • kgMA
    • +2
      kgMA  
    • Frosty46:

      Yes Frosty, many Union workers have abandoned the most useful tool in their bag, the ability to strike. For one reason or another! Many union contracts today have no strike wording written into their contract agreements with contractors and businesses. Why? Because businesses do not want the bad exposure when lines are formed in front of their establishments or the lost of $$$ from delays in production or construction. Unions today are basically forced to use a No Strike agreement as a bargaining tool to settle contract disputes. That being said, I'd rather take my lumps and walk in a line. If we all walked together, as one labor force, the workers would control Washington, not the multinational corporations. Wages would climb and both the middle class and poor would prosper along with the corporations.
      As for not supporting certain businesses, I'll never walk into a Home Depot or Walmart again. Both are huge contributors to the the Union Bashing crowd! I know the list is long but you have to start somewhere...

    • 7 months ago
  • Frosty46
    • +1
      Frosty46  
    • Wyley_Wombat:

      Yes unions are one hope for the workers and they should have been the voice needed to make and keep change for the better but they got too chummy with the corps and swallowed some of that Republican Koolaid. They can regain their position but must work hard to regain the minds of the working public. This is done by standing tall and fighting hard for what's right!
      I know far too many union members who are Republicans-------------far, far too many!

    • 7 months ago
  • queenofit
    • +4
      queenofit  

    • Yes....tears. It is for the future and "true" hope! Not some made for tv spin doctor hope, real - blood, sweat and tears hope. Thanks to all of you who help. Blessings~

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • chew_chew
  • KB723
  • artemis6
  • KB723
  • remanns
  • remanns
  • KB723
  • remanns
    • +2
      remanns  
    • KB723:

      Probably 3 more massive bail outs or 3 more years of the same unemployment or worse.
      3 million man marches might do it.
      \Of course, it sort of hinges on what you want "it" to achieve precisely.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
    • 0
      KB723  
    • remanns:

      Indeed, I have seen too many times the broadcaster of which ever news outlet I am viewing, saying they still do not know why the folks are protesting...

    • 7 months ago
  • chew_chew
  • chew_chew
  • KB723
  • chew_chew
    • +2
      chew_chew  
    • KB723:

      "Indeed, I have seen too many times the broadcaster of which ever news outlet I am viewing, saying they still do not know why the folks are protesting..."

      It IS happening, KB. This is SO close to critical mass. When critical mass is reached, and it will be, peaceful and positive things will start happening quicker than any of us can now imagine.

      I agree with Mr Hedges: "This could take them all down."

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • artemis6
  • KB723
  • kennymotown
    • +9
      kennymotown  

    • If we don't get the Police on our side it will be a bloody revolution, or if they do come over to our side then this can be done without blood. My impression of the military forces is one of they are on our side already after 10 years of pointless wars they have seen the light and their families as well!

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • kennymotown
    • +8
      kennymotown  
    • KB723:

      Most have figured out on their own how Capitalism and the Corporate God have cleaned out mortgages and 401 k's and as direct result of this cancer raised the crime level in this country. But knowing several bully and bonehead cops in my life some will never get it!

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • cmc101
    • +2
      cmc101  
    • KB723:

      Kenny and you are on target
      and when our soldiers come home with no jobs and cheep 401K's and no future . There will be some whip ass showing up

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • Lisayou
  • KB723
  • KB723
    • +7
      KB723  

    • Chris Hedges: "This one could take them all down"

      "Thank Goodness we have Chris Hedges, among the others that share their experience and views of the current Issues!!!"

    • 7 months ago
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