G8 doesn't control the wealth of the world, although that's the somewhat simplistic claim of those looking for something to protest. They merely provide a platform for countries to coordinate their financial goals, so that everyone isn't working in a different direction. They're governments, so they must be bad.
When the "occupy movement" isn't demonstrating against G8 or NATO, they will pick another target, any target, it seems, will do, even Rahm Emanuel, Obama's ally. Their "we hate it all" lack of focus has become laughable, IMO. On May 19, 2012, at 11:41 AM, Christine Aguila wrote: > Thanks, Paul. > > With respect to your question, Stan and Bob are right, in that, lots of > groups will use to advantage historical events that provide a handy--and > large--audience for a social, political or economic message, but I wouldn't > argue that's the main motivation for protest rallies with respect to NATO/G8. > > I readily admit I am not deeply read on every group's mission statement and > goals, and it's always tricky to speak for someone else, but at yesterday's > rally all the speakers and the signage did speak to a single overall position > uniting the various groups and organizations. In their view, G8 controls the > wealth of the world, and they do so mostly to the advantage of the ruling and > corporate elite, thereby creating hardship and disadvantage--and the new buzz > word, austerity--for the rest of the world's population. And they view NATO > as G8's military instrument to insure that advantage in various direct and > indirect ways--war, of course, being the most egregious, direct, and > expensive means--in their view. > > So, in demonstrating against NATO they also demonstrate against the G8; and > when they demonstrate against the G8, they demonstrate against NATO. > > All of what I just said is, of course, my interpretation, and I've probably > oversimplified for some, but it is my take on yesterday's event, though it's > *not* necessarily my own personal point of view, but I admit to being > sympathetic with some of the *economic* message points conveyed at the rally. > > Cheers, Christine/Chicago > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On May 19, 2012, at 6:10 AM, Paul Stenquist wrote: > >> Some nice pics. A bit bewildering though in that it's hard to see what any >> of this has to do with NATO. Would the occupants prefer that we not have an >> alliance of western democracies? >> Paul >> On May 19, 2012, at 2:53 AM, Christine Aguila wrote: >> >>> Hi Everyone: >>> >>> I flirted with the idea of starting a little memoir blog, if you will, on >>> our NATO weekend here in Chicago, but then chucked the idea--for the time >>> being at least. I haven't had a full day of photography like today for >>> probably 3 months at least, so it was a fun day. >>> >>> The nurses union had applied for a permit but had a set-to with the mayor, >>> but then he relented, so the rally went ahead. John Nichols, the >>> Washington D.C. correspondent for the magazine The Nation spoke, as did, >>> Andy Thayer, and Tom Hayden, that is, *the* Tom Hayden. Tom Morello >>> sang--he was great! Lots of other speakers from various progressive >>> organizations and unions spoke as well. >>> >>> The rally was orderly--quite tame actually--cheerful with lots of shouting >>> and singing. Morello sang This Land is Your Land, which was a moving >>> moment and will resonate long in my memory. But then it was over, and most >>> folks went along their merry way. The media reported some smaller >>> "splinter groups" headed into the loop, but it never amounted to much. >>> >>> The big day is Sunday, and I'm set to head down to the Petrillo Bandshell >>> and do the march to McCormick Place. If I get tired, I'll head home. >>> Darrel will be home on call if I need to be rescued. I've sought advice >>> from our Cotty, so I'll march with greater confidence WRT safety and >>> photographic strategy. >>> >>> There's nothing fancy or greatly artful about the gallery below, but you >>> will get a small sense of what the rally was like. The truth is when I get >>> to events like this I start shouting and singing with everyone else and >>> forget to take pictures. I did take a little video of the speakers and >>> performers, but I had the DA* 50-135 on the K-5, and holding that kit up >>> high in the Hail Mary position for long periods is not fun. It's a bummer >>> being short. >>> >>> There are captions below the photos. >>> >>> http://www.caguila.com/natonurses >>> >>> Cheers, Christine/Chicago >>> -- >>> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>> [email protected] >>> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >>> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >>> follow the directions. >> >> >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> [email protected] >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >> follow the directions. >> > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
