http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x4ly3Gr3kw
(Embedding disabled by request)
I want to use this clip as an example of how easy it is for the main stream media to degrade a poorly documented and weakly outlined protest, the lack of ability by the counterculture’s media to respond to the degradation and inform those interested, and the importance of creating a well organized hierarchy of command to properly represent the ideals of the masses in order to achieve goals within a republic.
Erin Burnett’s attack on the Wall Street protesters, who assembled in New York in September of 2011, is as childish as it is sad. It’s sad because the main stream media should be trying to inform the public on what a movement is really about, rather than creating what is basically a comedy segment on a CNN news show aimed at allowing the uninformed to chuckle at the counterculture clowns. She should be ashamed of herself as a reporter, especially after being a part of so many relevant news stories in the past. She could have at least used a clip of one person with a relevant argument, but her fiance, David Rubulotta, is a Citigroup executive, so don’t expect anything too soon.
When media covers any movement there are stragglers and fringe individuals who are easy targets for middle school style “point and laugh” opposition. When a movement’s goals are heard by a large enough percentage of the population, anyone doing reporting like Erin Burnett will look uninformed and biased. The lack of knowledge from a software developer within the mix of the mass of people is an irrelevant point because the public has a person, ideal, and goal to identify with, making the people protesting more symbols than mouthpieces.
(In response to: 6:38)
As I know Mr. Mankiewicz agrees, if you announce specific goals, backed up with relevant counter points to your oppositions arguments, delivered by a base of educated, well spoken, preferably attractive (or at least stoic) individuals who are dressed professionally and represent a significant percentage of the nation, the main stream media will take you seriously…that’s how it works. That’s how they make money and new ideas are heard and discussed in America. The main stream media (and voting population at large) likes to interact with people who visually fit into their ideological box. That system of society will probably never change. Since Mankiewicz clearly associates himself with Occupy Wall Street, rather than making the importance of a spokesperson a footnote at the end of his statements, he should be driving the idea home to his listeners, and giving current and future protesters relevant information to come back with when asked questions by reporters, or offer to become a spokesperson for them. In order to actually help the occupiers, Mr. Mankiewicz should discuss the problems and solutions of the movement itself instead of doing exactly what Erin Burnett is doing: childishly pointing out a lack of knowledge, without cohesively imparting greater knowledge about anything at all (I don’t count his manic vague declarations of the larger ideals that the occupiers stand for as an imparting of knowledge).
In an article by Verena Dobnik, Dobnik interviews Legba Carrefour, “a participant in the Occupy D.C. protest…who works as a coat check attendant despite holding a master’s degree in cultural studies.” Carrefor is quoted as saying, “When movements come up with specific demands, they cease to be movements and transform into political campaign rallies. . .It’s compelling a lot of people to come out for their own reasons rather than the reasons that someone else has given to them.”
When people come together to discuss what is wrong with society, they should do it for personal reasons that are very important to them. That, I can fully agree with. True national perspective leads to a multifaceted and intimate debate about the public’s ideals and motivations, and, I believe, national perspective has, up until now, ultimately moved toward the greater good of society on a large scale. However, if someone, at some point, doesn’t map out a plan with demands and logical solutions to rid the organizations involved of the problems you are discussing, you are no longer talking about tweaking the American economy and Government, but a completely different financial and political system that will only be achieved through warfare and ultimately (if you’re lucky) some sort of voting. And, hopefully, that isn’t what is about to happen. If no demands are made, nothing can be put into effect, because you are philosophizing rather than actively changing the economical and governmental systems under debate.
Communist movements with loosely defined goals don’t get very far in a republic. You have the options to organize yourself or plan on failure. It’s the nature of the American economical and political Beast. In order to tame it, you’d better have a tactical plan at how to change it or reorganize it from the ground up, otherwise, you might as well protest at home.
MOST IMPORTANTLY
A great story, covered by Verena Dobnik of the Associated Press, discussing the facts of the Occupy Wall Street movement, can be found here:
The entirety of Ms. Burnett’s segment can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRGns6LaJgA
The Young Turks (TYT) website can be found here:
And, a link to the online CNN News room:
Southern Connection 