Occupy Steubenville at noon today. I'll be there

[ArnoldLayne]

I only live 20 minutes away.

[demmiblue]

1. Please keep us informed!

[freshwest]

97. And stay safe -

[Le Taz Hot]

2. Take pictures if you can.

[seabeyond]

3. yup. let us know what is going on. use your voice... yeah you. and thanks. nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Good for you!

[MountainLaurel]

5. Thank you

On behalf of my niecelets who live not far away, thank you.

[Earth_First]

6. Please keep us posted, open up a Twitter hashtag too #OccupyStubenville n/t

[Hell Hath No Fury]

7. Thank you for going --

I am there in spirit. Keep us posted!

[bvar22]

8. You obviously haven't been reading DU, or you would know...

...that "Occupy" has been pronounced DEAD by the conservative clique here.




Thank You for carrying the flag,
and please upload photos and updates.

[KG]

30. this

[lunatica]

9. Thank you!

[Tsiyu]

10. Wish I could go with you

but many of us are with you in spirit.

Thank you

[L0oniX]

11. Watch out for anti-occupy government snipers on the roof tops!

Possible drone surveillance too.

[barbtries]

12. please post pics

and thank you for representing. i look forward to reading the signs.

i sat through that entire video of the kid bragging away on his bad acts. made me sad.

[historylovr]

13. Thank you! nt

[caledesi]

14. Cool! nt

[Magoo48]

15. Thanks.....

[redwitch]

16. Thank you!

[George II]

17. So, now everytime there is a demonstration of any kind anywhere in the US..............

............it's going to be called "Occupy ________ "????

[FailureToCommunicate]

23. Is that a problem?

(Oh, and thank you for the Occupy meme to begin with BTW! )

[Fire Walk With Me]

39. Bravo!

[randome]

26. A more appropriate name for the protest would be 'Justice For...' Um, whatever her name is.

But the 'Occupy' folks still want their name to be front and center, unfortunately.

[azureblue]

31. oh,

so you are all for exposing the name of the victim? Shame on you...

[randome]

38. Good point.

But 'Occupy Steubenville' doesn't convey any useful information, IMO. In fact, it makes it sound like something unrelated to the crimes that occurred there.

[bettyellen]

55. It conveys that the powers that be in Stubenville wanted to sweep a heinous crime under the rug.

and using the victims name is the most thoughtless and foolish suggestion ever. her name doesn't matter and should NOT be publicized- she could be anyone's daughter, sister or friend.
Dumb idea.

[randome]

61. Which is why I said it was a good point to have pointed that out to me.

[George II]

109. Maybe you guys should do some research before spouting???

The rape took place in August, the trial is starting in a few weeks - that's swift justice and no, the victim's name has NOT been released!!!!!

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57561909-504083/video-depicts-teens-laughing-about-alleged-sexual-assault-victim-she-is-so-raped-right-now/

&quot CBS) In August, the family of a 16-year-old girl accused multiple Steubenville, Ohio, high school students of raping her while she was passed out during a night of pre-football-season partying.

Two Steubenville High School football players have been indicted for rape, and the case is set to go to trial in February. But on Wednesday, a video appeared online that depicts teenage males who appear to be joking about details of the alleged rape....

...The alleged victim is not named in the video and her name has not been released. "

[bettyellen]

119. Um. I know all that. Why all the rape apologist spamming here? I'm embarrassed for you.

[George II]

122. How can I be considered a "rape apologist"???

I'm annoyed that anytime there is a spectacular case anywhere in the country, the so-called "Occupy" clowns show up acting like THEY are going to bring justice to the world, and they publicize it and boast about it.

The "Occupy" movement (loose description) started in NYC. Last year there were 508 rapes in NY. How many "Occupy" demonstrations were organized to protest those 508 rapes? NONE - because there were no headlines to be made, no publicity to be gained.

If you think what I've posted in this discussion is "rape apology", you should be embarassed for yourself.

[Bjorn Against]

120. Maybe you should do some research before telling us to do some research

Maybe I need to put it in all caps for you to get the point because you don't seem to understand a very basic point...

THE VIDEO SHOWS THAT THERE WERE MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE INVOLVED YET ONLY TWO ARE FACING CHARGES.

Once all the perpetrators have been charged then you can tell us to do research, but telling us to research arrests that have not happened yet does not fly.

[George II]

123. Read the post to which I responded, okay?

[Bjorn Against]

135. I did read it, maybe you should read it

That post never claimed the name had been realeased, it claimed it would be stupid to release the name.

[Downtown Hound]

56. LOL. I understood it without any context right away. n/t

[bettyellen]

67. Amazing that anyone thinks an idea they fart out thoughtlessly is smarter than the Occupy movement.

Not uncommon here, but still amazing to me.

[randome]

79. You do know what 'IMO' stands for, right?

[bettyellen]

80. humble opinion = fleeting thought you reject as soon as it's analyzed here? why bother posting?

[tama]

84. That everybody has an asshole?

Which is perfectly fine. IMHO.

[randome]

86. Oh, a tag team now, huh?

We're not on opposite sides, you know. Unless you consider using the word 'Occupy' is like a wild card that validates everything you want.

I wonder how the protest is going in Steubenville. It's been more than 5 hours now. Anyone know how many people showed up? Are they going to camp out somewhere overnight? This doesn't seem well thought out, IMO.

The case has already been taken from local officials and for good reasons. There has been enough attention paid to it that I don't see how Steubenville does NOT end up like Penn State.

[bettyellen]

87. i actually think the OP had it wrong because the protest had been scheduled for tomorrow.

maybe there was a gathering to prep the day before? Or some jerk spreading misinformation? I don't know. But it's been scheduled for Saturday.

What I do know is that your obvious hopes that the protest can be deemed a failure reflects pretty poorly on you.
Not a truly progressive attitude. And pretty creepy to boot. Your own petty issues with Occupy are leaving you aligned with some pretty disgusting characters.

[randome]

89. I'm glad someone answered my question. Thanks for that.

The insults? Eh. Not so much. And you do not define 'progressive' for me. I have 2 15 year old daughters so I am more than willing to see the town of Steubenville get what's coming to it.

Just because I make a suggestion without including 'Praise Occupy!' as part of it does not mean we are on opposite sides.

[bettyellen]

90. It's only because you are obviously wishing the protest ill, that we seem to be at odds.

Seems like a petty position to take, this wish to doom an event that's designed to raise awareness of Stubenville's huge failure.

[pinboy3niner]

91. Here's a story link to a local station that also will be covering on-scene tomorrow:

Second Occupy Steubenville Rally Less Than 24 Hours Away, Massive Crowd Expected
http://www.wtrf.com/story/20487742/second-steubenville-rally-less-than-24-hours-away-massive-crowd-expected

[George II]

146. But.......if you don't praise the sacred "Occupy movement" you're perceived on the opposite side....

.....it's like the old bush accusation, "if you're not with us you're against us"!!

[tama]

88. What's "tag team"?

Just playing with the old saying "opinions are like assholes, everybody has one". Also I like having an asshole and opinions, and hope that both produce fruitfully through recycling.

"Occupy" is not a trademark controlled by anyone, but a word/meme/slogan that people give meaning to when gather together to give it meaning.

[suffragette]

171. One newspaper noted 800 - 1,000 protested Saturday

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/hundreds-protest-sexual-assault-investigation-in-steubenville-669146/
At a noon rally, 800 to 1000 protesters said they wanted justice for a 16-year-old West Virginia teenager who was the victim of an alleged rape in August.


Looks like that's a significant increase from the last protest, which would mean support for this action is increasing. So much for not being "well thought out."

Oh, and just because more than one person disagrees with you, it doesn't mean it's a "tag team." It simply means additional people people disagree.

[randome]

172. I have no problem with support growing. Nor for keeping the pressure on the authorities.

My point was that 'Occupy' seemed like a poor choice for this protest.

[suffragette]

177. Occupy chose to support this and go

They showed up.

[bettyellen]

184. And I see people who disagree tend to be those who have walked the walk, participated in protests

I don't get the random naysaying about protesters here. Is is just distasteful to some? Or some residual guilt over being too lazy to participate in advocacy? It's an insult to the democratic process, for sure- but I don;t get the motivation.
Someone below suggested activist should "know how to be supportive of situations without being so noisy". Just WOW, way to miss the point- don't you think?

*hi*
Nice to see you!

[suffragette]

208. It's hard to marginalize people/movements when they keep rallying for rights and get noisy

and visible in demanding those for others as well as themselves. Guess that is inconvenient for some.

Good to see you, too.

[George II]

111. There IS no "Occupy movement", it's a hit and miss attention-getting stunt

[Tempest]

103. Trust me, Steubenville is well known now

I'm finding sources from all over the world on the story.

And you should check out OSU's Facebook page. The comments are coming in fast and furious.

[zeemike]

32. No fortunately.

They are working for us...er that is progressives.
There is absolutely no reason why they should just fold and let the tea party have the spotlight and spread their shit unopposed.

[randome]

42. Who is 'they'? Anyone can say they are against the financial system.

But what does that have to do with Steubenville? Crimes were committed there. Any group of protesters should be hammering that point home, not trying to piggy-back a ride into relevance.

[zeemike]

64. They is anyone who says they support Occupy movement or is in it.

Why the hell should we fragment ourselves into tiny pieces of one time concerns?...the Tea party does not do that...
They stay together and do not have people on the right trying to fracture them into narrow interests.
And perhaps that is why they always win and we always fail....but that is just how I see it.

[randome]

66. It's been 4 hours now. Has 'Occupy Steubenville' done anything?

If they have, more power to them. But so far it doesn't sound like this protest is turning any heads. Maybe, since enough noise has already been generated, there isn't much else to do other than support the state officials who have taken over from the local officials.

[Bjorn Against]

74. They turned my head

I would have probably never heard of this case if citizen activists had not started to make a lot of noise. I am guessing the same is probably true for you, this case would have almost certainly been buried if groups like Occupy and Anonymous had not started making a lot of noise about it.

[randome]

78. Anonymous leaked the video. Congratulations go out to them.

But Occupy? What are they doing in Steubenville? It's been more than 5 hours now. How is the protest going? What are they protesting? The case has already been wrenched away from the local officials who tried to cover it up.

[Bjorn Against]

81. You know that the local officials tried to cover it up, isn't that good reason to protest?

I think it is very clear what they are protesting, they are protesting the fact that justice has still not been done and the officials who tried to cover it up are still in positions of power. As long as there are rape enablers working in the school and the local prosecutors office Occupy needs to keep protesting.

[bettyellen]

83. and the local media has been lax in reporting this also. Another great reason to protest!

[George II]

199. Totally false - the reports were in the newspapers when they heard about it.

[George II]

162. How have they tried to cover it up?

Were not the two principles in the crime arrested days after it happened. Were they not indicted, isn't their trial scheduled to start in a couple of weeks? Isn't the investigation to find the others involved still ongoing?

Cover up? How specifically have they "covered up" anything?

[bettyellen]

166. You know the local police said they have no evidence before a blogger publicized the easy to find

evidence that was out there. That there were more than two attackers.
The newspaper declined to do anything, the prosecutor tried to get her to drop the case.
The investigation was stalled, and taken over by the AG's office.
You seem to know absolutely nothing about what happened, because otherwise you would not be defending the Stubenville PD.

[George II]

198. Don't know what reports you were reading, but here is a newspaper article..........

.....from about 2 weeks after the crime (Sept 2):

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/09/rape_charges_divide_football_t.html

A few choice excerpts:

"Officials continue to investigate details of the reports"

"But even so, few people have gone to authorities with information, in spite of pleas from Police Chief William McCafferty."

"After the rape was reported, McCafferty went on television urging parents and kids to come forward if they were witnesses or had received photos or video. "

"Steubenville’s lone juvenile-crime detective is slogging through all of the Tweets, the rumor-laden forums and message boards, looking for kernels of truth. "

"McCafferty said what bothers him most about the case is the silence — both on the night of the incident and now."

Remember, this is right after the crime was committed - sure doesn't look like there was any "cover up", does it?

[bettyellen]

201. you believe people involved in a coverup would say anything else? I doubt it.

I think you're posts are stupid, but no one is that dumb.
You;re playing rape apologists' games. Have fun.

[George II]

207. That is the FOURTH insulting post from you, all just simple-minded one-liners with zero substance...

You must be a very unhappy person to have to resort to such stuff.

[George II]

209. Again the idiotic "rape apologist" insult since I dare to disagree..........

..........with your off-base "facts"? Okay, in that case, since you've resorted to calling my facts "stupid", give us some SPECIFICS about who is covering up and how they're doing it. Simple to do, wouldn't you think? You've been going on and on about it, but when confronted with reality you balk and lower the discussion to name calling.

You see news reports about the up front work of the police and you imply they're false.

You see local news reports about the situation yet you claim the local press is ignoring this.

Do you really live in such a negative fantasy world? Is it so bad that you have to resort to name calling to cover for the fact that you're ill-informed about what is REALLY going on in that town?

Sad, truly sad.

[George II]

173. So I take it that................

...you don't know how the authorities tried to cover this up. Not surprising.

Oh, by the way, I was born in Brooklyn NY and have been a resident of the United States for 65 years, if that's important to you.

[Bjorn Against]

34. Those who organize get to take credit for organizing

Maybe before you complain about the name you might want to consider doing something to help the victim yourself rather than faulting those who are doing something.

[randome]

41. I did do something useful.

I suggested the name 'Occupy Steubenville' does not convey any useful information. Free of charge.

[Bjorn Against]

45. Wow, what commitment you have

[randome]

47. This isn't a contest.

[LanternWaste]

72. Hence your (at best) benign solution.

"This isn't a contest."

Hence your (at best) benign solution.

[Bjorn Against]

73. You are right, there is absolutely no contest

Occupy is actually doing something to help and you are doing nothing aside from complaining about them calling themselves Occupy. No contest at all, it is very clear who is making a difference and who is not.

[George II]

112. Like what?

The perpetrators have been arrested, charged, and indicted, and their trial starts in a couple of weeks. The investigation is continuing to find the others. So what is this so-called "Occupy" thing going to accomplish today? Maybe you guys could canvass the school and find the others instead of conducting a self-congratulatory demonstration?

[Bjorn Against]

115. All of the people who covered up the crime are still in positions of power

If you are fine with rape enablers working in a school, if you want a woman in the prosecutors office who tried to cover up a rape that happened in her home, if you want a Sherriff's office that protects gang rape, if you want the people who encouraged and filmed the rape to continue to walk free and have the ability to film more rapes, then don't protest.

The rest of us are not so stupid as to buy into your bullshit line that the perpetrators have been arrested when in fact most of them have not.

[George II]

154. Covered up the crime? The two principles were arrested 11 days after it occurred....

...and the investigation is still ongoing. Should they waterboard the two that were arrested to get the rest of the names? The video was only released a few days ago.

But you're trying to deflect the point of my initial posts by accusing me of condoning a cover-up and seemingly sympathizing with the rapists, not the victim. Of course I never said or even hinted that, but if it makes points for you you'll try it, totally false as it is.

My objections in this entire discussion revolve around the opportunistic "Occupy" people who use just about any situation for their own publicity. That's why I made the spurious connection between this and the parking meter demonstration, to show the opportunistic nature of the so-called "Occupy movement". They see some opportunity to sensationalize themselves for their own purposes and jump on it.

Have these "Occupy" people articulated their objectives with respect to the case? What they ultimately hope to accomplish, specifically? All I've been able to ascertain is that they're there for the free pizza and music.

What connection is there to this demonstration and the origins of the so-called "Occupy movement" in the financial district of New York City?

Finally, I'll ask for the third time in this discussion - how many demonstrations have the "Occupy" people organized as a result of the 508 rapes that occurred in New York City in 2012?

Got any answers?

[Bjorn Against]

156. The police admitted they had the video since the beginning

The video only became public two days ago, it was known to police from early on. They knew about all the people in the video and chose to protect them.

We get it, you don't like Occupy even though you clearly don't understand them. I could answer all your questions but when you claim the only thing they are trying to accomplish is getting free pizza and music it is clear you are purposefully ignorant and you are not going to listen to the answers anyways. More than one of the answers to your questions can be found in this very thread, you just don't like the answers so you ignore them.

[George II]

163. Typical...in other words, "my proof is there, now go find it"!

[Bjorn Against]

178. No more like I don't have time to answer five essay questions from someone who won't listen

With as many questions as you asked it would take an hour to type up a response to all of them, more than one of those questions I already addressed anyways. It is a waste of time to respond to someone who is obviously not going to listen.

[George II]

200. It would take about 60 seconds to post the links to the answers, just as I posted........

....a link from a Cleveland newspaper disproving the alleged "cover-up", it took even less than 60 seconds.

[Bjorn Against]

203. This link would answer many of your questions

Somehow I doubt you will take the time to study it though.

www.occupytogether.org

[George II]

204. Your nasty comment notwithstanding, I've seen that before and I have read through some of it....

...the closest I could find to a "mission statement" is the vague:

"#occupy wants to end the relationship built on money and donations between our elected officials and corporate interests."

No stated true objectives, no strategy, no "plan". Just, as I've said several times, a rag-tag series of uncoordinated, ad hoc, self-serving demonstrations with no defined aim.

Finally, I really don't see the connection between "end the relationship built on money and donations between our elected officials and corporate interests" and the rape case in Steubenville. Care to give it a shot? "Somehow I doubt you will take the time"!!!

[Bjorn Against]

205. There was nothing nasty about my comment

You may not like that Occupy's mission is not as narrowly defined as you would like it to be, but the fact is they have taken on many issues from their inception. Their mission has never been limited to the one sentence you quoted. One common theme of Occupy however is that there are some people in positions of power who seem to live under a different set of laws than the rest of us, that applies very much to this rape case.

You seem to be very upset about people standing up to rape enablers however, you don't seem one bit bothered by the fact that the people who at the very least witnessed and cheered on rape without reporting it have been protected by local officials. There is video evidence and yet you still want people to stay quiet while rape enablers are working in a school and local government.

I support the Occupiers who are standing up to the rape enablers.

[George II]

206. "Somehow I doubt you will take the time to study it though"?

Yeah, that was a sweet comment.............not nasty at all huh?

Why is it that everyone who objects to the opportunists of "Occupy" in this situation are denigrated as "rape enablers"? NOWHERE in this ridiculously circuitous discussion have I or anyone else who objects to the the opportunism of "Occupy" said that rape is good or the perpetrators are innocent. It's just that you can't accept that the "Occupy" zealots are taking advantage of this situation for their own purposes and you decry those who expose you "Occupyists" as merely opportunists!

Sure, the "Occupyists" have seemingly taken on many issues, but what specifically have they accomplished other than toot their own horns and tout their own "virtues"?

Your idiotic "rape enabler" comments are irrelevant, insulting, and spurious - I suspect merely a smoke screen to cover the fact that the "Occupy" people really are only out to promote themselves and gain publicity.

You can call anyone who disagrees with you and the rag-tag "Occupy" demonstrators "rape enablers" if you want, but you certainly know that is not true.

By the way, my "Occupy Parking Meter" event today was highly successful, sans free pizza and the DJ.

Goodnight.

[secondvariety]

133. If nothing else,

the protest will embarrass the shit out of high school football hero worshipers. What difference does it make who organizes a protest? The more light shined on the roaches that tried to cover up the investigation the better.

[randome]

134. Because it seems more like a celebration of 'Occupy' than anything else.

I agree, the more light shone on this better.

However, the following questions have been raised.

* Does the victim or her family condone this protest?
* Is Occupy truly advertising a DJ and free pizza at the protest?
* With more than 508 rapes in NYC last year, why isn't Occupy out protesting those, as well? Especially since, as some have posted, 'Occupy' stands for defending ALL the downtrodden in the world.

It does seem as if this Occupy group has its own agenda.

[bvar22]

49. You have a point...

...with which I disagree.

1)Who do you think "the 'Occupy' folks" are?
Do you really believe there is a central headquarters with an address and a Governing, Licensing, and Organizing Council?

2) The spontaneous associations with "Occupy" makes the grass-roots opposition to the entrenched oligarchy much stronger and more unified.
It also makes it impossible for TPTB to decapitate and marginalize the movement.

Instead of a bunch of smaller protests with different names with more limited agendas,
we now have an International Movement with multiple general goals which is much more difficult for the Media and our Politicians to ignore.

Like that damned Whack-a-Mole game,
OCCUPY keeps popping up all over the place!
Some people seem very unhappy about the persistence and longevity of this movement.


"Yes, Virginia.
The Natives are Restless,
and there is a whole big bunch of them everywhere."





You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their rhetoric, promises, or excuses.
[font size=5 color=green]Solidarity99![/font][font size=2 color=green]

[randome]

57. A rape in Steubenville, as horrible as that is, has nothing to do with an 'oligarchy'.

It's a small town where local officials are trying to cover each others' asses.

I don't think it's a good idea to push 'oligarchy' ideas into something like that. The crimes that went on here are more deserving than satisfying some group's other -and irrelevant- needs.

No one wants to 'decapitate and marginalize the movement' when people are protesting the crime of rape and lack of prosecution. That's just someone else's agenda intruding on something more important.

[bettyellen]

63. Oligarchy: powers that be in Stubenville were allowing this to happen because they are entrenched in

the football program. This town has nothing going for it except that damned team, and the justice system there has done all it can to protect that team.
Several of the accused are out of towners imported to live with powerful people there, given Stubenville addresses and perks, just make the team better. So adults in power are bending the rules, and exerting considerable time and energy to build the team.
The police and prosecutors have very strong connections to this team and have both taken measures to silence the victim, and lied to the media saying there is no evidence.
This is very much about the powerful protecting their own. It's not just billionaire banksters that operate this way.

[George II]

114. THEY DIDN'T "ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN"! The trial of the perpetrators is beginning in a few weeks......

........less than six months after the crime. THAT is "allowing it to happen"???

[bettyellen]

116. you haven't read shit about this case, have you. LOL

they had the investigation taken away from them, it;s ONGOING.
but thanks for spamming this thread with ignorance.

[Bjorn Against]

117. When does the trial for the people who filmed the rape begin?

When does the trial of the local prosector who tried to cover up a rape that happened in her own home begin? There are more than two guilty people here, get back to us when all of them are facing charges.

[George II]

126. Most likely shortly after they're identified.

[Bjorn Against]

136. They already have been identified, they are on video.

[Zorra]

51. Nah...actually, we just want to expose and annoy the phony progressive Third Way corporate ass

kissing Anti-Social Justice Movement trolls on internet message boards.

It appears that every political forum has somewhere around five or six of them, have you noticed that?

I suppose it is probable that some of these anti-progressive trolls are actually sock puppets, but it doesn't matter, all of them make for a bit of good cheap comedy for real progressives on a cold winter day.

[Tsiyu]

59. [phone]

[Eleanors38]

94. So Occupy get's royalty payments for this? goodness.

[George II]

127. Here's how "sincere" these organizers are....

This is a rape case. "Occupy" is turning it into a block party. It is being publicized like this!

"#OCCUPYSTEUBENVILLE 1/5/13 city hall courthouse statue thingy, AT NOON! we have a DJ and RT 22 is donating pizza!"


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/tk-article-1.1233022#ixzz2H7K8vPg3

A DJ and free pizza!!!! I suppose that's what it takes to get "Occupy" people to show up, truth, justice, and the American way.

THAT is what this is all about - music and free pizza.

[randome]

132. Wow.

But, you know, that's probably not from the 'real' Occupy.

[Bjorn Against]

140. Wow? you seriously think this is a valid criticism of Occupy?

Explain to me why you don't think Occupy should hold social events like the one described int the above post. While you are at it tell me about a successful social movement in history that never had social events similar to this yet was still able to maintain a strong community.

If you attempt to answer this by suggesting that all Occupy members do is eat pizza and listen to music you will only prove that you don't know nearly as much about Occupy as you think you know because the post you were responding to was only one item of many on Occupy's list of actions.

[randome]

142. I suppose that's the point, isn't it?

This gathering is an opportunistic social event. Not so much for righting the wrongs of the world, IMO. Plus, they are protesting after a big stink has already been raised about this. Hopefully, they or Anonymous won't do anything to jeopardize the case.

[Bjorn Against]

148. Only if you believe nearly all political organizing is an opportunistic social event.

Virtually all successful political organizing involves social events sometimes, maybe you should dismiss all political organizations including the Democratic Party which holds much bigger parties than Occupy does. If you consider Occupy hosting a social event to be proof that they are more concerned about opportunism than political change then I suspect you think the same way about the Democratic Party as they host huge parties with budgets of hundreds if not thousands of times the budget of this Occupy event.

[randome]

149. I see your point but the Democratic Party is not out to protest a cover-up.

This 'Occupy' group is. I should think that would be front and center and I would expect less enthusiasm expressed for the DJ and free food.

But perhaps that's nit-picking on my part.

[Bjorn Against]

150. The protest is front and center, do you honestly think they are promoting this as a big pizza party?

I had not even heard about the pizza and DJ until it was posted in this thread to criticize them.

Be honest, did you hear any enthusiasm expressed about pizza and a DJ anywhere before you read the post criticizing them in this thread? Have you heard a single Occupy supporter say they were going to travel to Steubenville for a free slice of pizza and a DJ?

If not then you can not honestly make the claim that the enthusiasm is about pizza and a DJ.

[randome]

165. You're right. No one suggested that until the Tweet was printed here.

But it came across as opportunistic.

[Comrade Grumpy]

157. Yes, that is nit-picking. And pretty pitiful, too.

We get it. You and King George (or whatever his name is) despise the Occupy movement. You despise it so much you'd rather make this about Occupy than about what's happening in Steubenville.

Maybe you could start your own thread about how horrible Occupy is.

[randome]

164. 'Criticizing' equals 'despise'. Your own objectivity is sorely lacking.

It seems that if the words 'Praise Occupy!' are not attached to everything someone does, that's the equivalent of 'despising' them.

That's not the case at all. I simply don't see what 'Occupy' has to do with a girl's rape.

[George II]

179. No, Occupy has made it all about them instead....

....of what's happening in steubenville.

[George II]

158. So you think it's proper to say....................

......essentially , "Hey, some poor girl got raped, let's throw a block party!!"??? That's basically what this has become!

I DO know about the so-called "Occupy movement", I saw it up close and in person in NYC. It started out as a sincere, honest demonstration against the bankers and financial industry in lower Manhattan. Within months they marginalized and trivialized the sincere objectives of the originators. What does this demonstration today in Steubenville have to do with the real "Occupy" protests in Manhattan a year or so ago? NOTHING!

As to your final comment, I sure would like to see something documenting the "list of actions" of the "Occupiers", what their ultimate objectives are, what their coordination activities are, their published agenda, their schedule of events, etc. etc. etc.

Fact is, that probably doesn't exist - it's just a bunch people who rally around anything they can to gather under the "Occupy" title.

[Bjorn Against]

160. No that is not what they are saying at all, and you criticized me for lack of objectivity

You despise Occupy, I get it. There are plenty of places you can get info on upcoming Occupy events, feel free to research it. The information is not hidden you are just willfully ignorant and yet want to pretend your ignorance is evidence that they don't even have any schedules of events.

[George II]

161. So where is it then?

[Bjorn Against]

176. Try Google

https://www.google.com/search?q=occupy+steubenville+upcoming+events&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#sclient=tablet-gws&hl=en&client=safari&tbo=d&q=occupy+events+calendar&oq=occupy+events+&gs_l=tablet-gws.1.1.0l2j0i30.37452.51915.0.54090.38.14.12.12.19.1.650.2441.7j5j5-2.14.0.les%3B..0.0...1ac.1.WW3Rf52tUZY&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM&fp=b5e026a14e9706d2&bpcl=40096503&biw=768&bih=928

[Bjorn Against]

139. Maybe you should investigate whether Martin Luther King ever attended a barbecue

Are people in social movements never allowed to have social events to help them develop as a community?

You are an idiot if you think Occupiers are traveling to Steubenville, many of them travelling long distances just so they can get pizza and listen to music. They are going to raise awareness about this case, that does not mean they have to be depressed the entire time however.

Do you think it would have been wrong for members of the Civil Rights movement to have a barbecue after they finished a march? I can assure you that they did this sometimes.

If you don't think it was wrong for the Civil Rights movement to have social gatherings after an action I don't see any logical reason you would be opposed to Occupy doing this.

Having social events is an important part of building a movement.

[George II]

141. MLK never advertised free food and music to get people to the march, and.........

.........comparing Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to this "Occupy" rag-tag group is entirely illogical.

[Bjorn Against]

145. I would be absolutely shocked if he never did that

I have been involved with many different organizations throughout the years, and events like this are very common.

I will try to research Martin Luther King's use of events like these later, but I am sure he did probably offer free food at social events because every good organizer tries to do things like this sometimes to build their community.

Barack Obama as well as virtually every other politician offers free pizza to their volunteers and hosts parties for them as well. If you don't understand this then it is clear you have never been involved in anything, social events are essential to community building and all successful groups have them.

[George II]

151. So now you're comparing Obama's campaign events to this demonstration today?

[Bjorn Against]

152. Yes I am, they are different organizations but they both involve organizing the community

I don't think that is an unfair comparision to make at all, both Occupy and the Obama campaign work to build a community of volunteers and participants.

[loyalsister]

181. Most advocacy groups offer refreshments at their organizing meetings

But when actions take place they do not allow themselves to look like they are having a party. They make it known that they are sacrificing time and comfort in the furtherance of a cause.

[bettyellen]

192. Exactly- DU had some serious parties in NYC and DC before and after protests, and they were GREAT.

People come from far and wide- travel expenses and hotels. People network and find new friends, places to stay, and eat and drink.
And they are glad to be in the company of other commited activists. Believe it or not we laughed and drank for hours both before and after the war protests. They can go tell Will Pitt and TLP they were wrong to do so. And Andy Stephenson, for fucks sake.

It takes a ton of ignorance to judge over some free pizza.

[Taverner]

29. Better than saying "Tea Party" if you ask me

[No Compromise]

35. yes, not getting it either- what does this have to do with holding the banksters accountable?

no comprendo

[SammyWinstonJack]

54. Occupy is more than just holding the banksters accountable.

[George II]

107. "Occupy" has no coordinated objective or strategy, just hit and miss tactics

[bettyellen]

58. Occupy is about justice for the oppressed, and the Stubenville powers that be allow those jocks

special status, because they're valuable entertainment and generate revenue for the people who have been running that town.

[George II]

108. You mean the jocks that have been arrested and charged, with more to possibly be arrested?

THOSE jocks with "special status"??

[bettyellen]

113. feel sorry for the rapists?

or just really bad at expressing yourself?

[George II]

137. WHO SAID THAT??

That's twice you accused me of apologizing or feeling bad for these criminals. HOW do you come to that conclusion - please explain yourself instead of posting accusatory one-liners!

[SammyWinstonJack]

53. Yeah, just in the US.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

69. It is if it gathers Occupy folks! Are you participating? nt

[George II]

110. Sorry, I can't make it today..........

......a friend got a parking ticket last week so we've organized an "Occupy Parking Meter" demonstration this afternoon. Wanna participate?

[Bjorn Against]

118. So now you are comparing rape to getting a parking ticket?

I can't even begin to tell you how stupid and callous that remark is.

Hate to break it to you, but many of us view rape as a much more serious crime than a parking offense.

I have seen a lot of idiotic false equivilances, but you just made one of the stupidist posts I have ever seen on this site.

[George II]

125. It has nothing to do with "rape", it has to do with self-serving public displays by "Occupy"....

....I asked this before, no answere - there were 508 rapes in NYC last year, where "Occupy" started. How many "Occupy" demonstrations were organized?

"Occupy" is preying on this case for publicity and self-congratulation. "Occupy" originated as a protest against the banks in the financialy district of NYC. Now they "occupy" anything and everything.

Of course, you have your pre-conceived ideas about this whole thing, so you blindly read my post as comparing rape with illegal parking - YOU made the comparison, I didn't!

[Bjorn Against]

138. This case is about rape, the fact that you put quote marks around the word is very telling

Explain why you did not just write the word rape, instead you have to put the quote marks around it. Do you not think this is a real rape?

Occupy may not have protested every rape that happened in NYC, but that is not the point. Not every rape in New York involved a massive coverup from city officials and video evidence to prove who the perpetrators are that the town has been protecting.

You did compare a rally against rape to a rally against a parking ticket, that means you compared rape to a parking offense. That was your comparision, don't try to pretend otherwise because anyone can read your stupid post and see it.

[George II]

143. I was pointing out the lunacy of all these ad hoc "Occupy" demonstrations, I never commented........

....on the nature of the crime in Steubenville or questioned the guilt of those about to go on trial.

For "Occupy" to capitalize on this case for the sensationalism, public exposure they're getting, and self-congratulation is disgusting. If you would read my posts objectively (of course, that won't happen) you might see the point.

[Bjorn Against]

147. I will read your posts objectively when you write objective posts

We can all see what you wrote, your attempts to justify it don't make your stupid comparision any better.

[alcibiades_mystery]

159. I know...super annoying

[jsr]

18. Thanks!

[renate]

19. thank you!

[Claybrains]

20. I would go too if I lived near there

[riverbendviewgal]

21. that is great

Hope it is peaceful and big. I thought there was a march tomorrow.

[ismnotwasm]

22. Good vibes your way

[benld74]

24. Support in your general direction!!!

[rollin74]

25. K & R. I wish I didn't live so far away

I understand there is going to be a big rally tomorrow (saturday 1/5)

[Catherine Vincent]

27. Thank you!

Keep us informed.

[Taverner]

28. Update us!

Thank you

[montanacowboy]

33. Where do you Live?

I was born and raised in that area, only a few miles from Steubenville -

I have no words to express my disgust with what is happening there

[armed_and_liberal]

37. Steubenville , I spent a year there one weekend.

I went there for a wedding 8 years ago, very weird place. Jerry Springer must get most of his guests from there!

[Fire Walk With Me]

40. K&R!

[siligut]

43. I read that tomorrow, the 5th, there is going to be a gathering as well

The Sluts group and some others. Making a big deal out of this is the best thing, but be aware, it seems the law there is crooked.

[beachgirl2365]

44. thank you to anyone and everyone who is going!!

from a survivor of date rape at about the same age as this young lady was,................................. your support and actions will not go unappreciated. Many blessings and love to you all!

[Pachamama]

46. I am in Europe right now....if I could be closer, I'd be there too....

Was speaking to friends here from Germany & Spain who are just shocked at this story....

I am sad to report that between Newtown & NRA, our Congress & fiscal cliff crap and now this crap in Steubenville, they really arent sure what is going on in America. I want to assure them these are not representative of the United States and not to judge us, but even I am having a hard time not looking across the pond and thinking my country has lost its mind....

Thank you for being at this event in Steubenville...I am hoping that this is just the beginning of us getting to the truth and justice for this poor girl that was violated in such a vile way.

[Great Caesars Ghost]

48. I am outta a loop here.

What is Steubenville and what is this all about? (west coaster here)

[marions ghost]

62. where u been? Go here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022128767

[Tempest]

104. Really. I'm in CA and I know much about it. n/t

[ananda]

50. Occupying in spirit here!

Good luck!

[pinboy3niner]

52. K&R

[roody]

60. Thanks.

[limpyhobbler]

65. k/r

Good for you. with you in spirit.

[WillyT]

68. HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!!

[No Compromise]

70. just read another wierd story like this on huffington

There was also a cover up in this case, and the perp was allowed to continue playing football while adults and police in the community looked the other way. (meanwhile the victim was forced to leave town out of embarrassment as a video of the event was put on youtube by several supportive bystanders (which is also sick and twisted in itself)

A high school football player and his brother have been arrested by authorities in Alaska for allegedly raping a drunken teenage boy with a beer bottle at a raucous underage drinking party.

"At some point after [the victim] had been written on and drawn on, the individuals surrounding him on the couch began to yell out ideas about what should happen next," Stone said. "While it's still unknown who made the suggestions, it was reported that someone suggested sticking a carrot in [the victim's] anus, and then someone suggested sticking a beer bottle inside of [the victim's] anus."

After someone removed the victims' pants and underwear, Anthony Resetarits allegedly took a 12 oz. Alaskan White beer bottle and inserted the full length of the neck of the bottle into the victim's anus. At least one juvenile male witnessed the assault, which was also captured on a camera.

"Several other juveniles stated they didn't see who initially had inserted the bottle but had seen ... Anthony Resetarits "tapping" and "pushing" on the bottle ... Another female juvenile stated she observed [Anthony] Resetarits "wind up" and hit the bottle, which caused it to go deeper into [the victims'] anus," Stone wrote in his report.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/10/anthony-joseph-resetarits-beer-bottle-sodomy_n_1955080.html

what is going on in America?

Where are young people getting these ideas? It is easy to blame the perps, but they are a product of a society that we (not they) created.

[TeeYiYi]

71. "we"?... Maybe you. Not me. Not "we". ...nt

TYY

[No Compromise]

75. not me, but 'we' ,collectively, as a society- we cannot just be bystanders and watch

We have to take responsibility for our country and our communities.

[No Compromise]

82. please help me raise awareness, this victim deserves justice

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022132583

[joelbny]

76. with you in Spirit!!

I joined Occupy Steubenville on facebook.

We should advocate for nationwide rape-education in schools, along with the anti-bullying campaigns.

I remember we had an anti-date-rape DVD in high school around 9th grade, but that was at a private school, and I'd expect the issue isn't even touched in many of the Red States.

[kimbutgar]

77. Is this a red republican area of Ohio?

[ArnoldLayne]

85. No unfortunately this part of Eastern Ohio which is Jefferson Co.

Steubenville and Belmont County just to the South is Dark Blue Democratic area. But that shouldn't matter.

[Tempest]

106. Parts of Steubenville are very red

I don't have an election map handy for the city's precincts, but a story from the NY Times after the 2008 election showed some precincts went all for the Republican candidate in 2008.

I don't know if the school and the students involved are in one of those precincts.

[ArnoldLayne]

92. We are going to occupy Steubenville Ohio tomorrow again at

[div class="excerpt"12:00 PM. It will be even bigger than today. Anon. and Rose Ann Barr will be there to bring Justice for that 15 year girl that those guys that drug her all over town from state to state. They raped, pissed on her and wrote Slut, Whore and Cunt with Magic Markers on her nude body while she was passed out from the drugs they put in her drink.

[pinboy3niner]

95. WTRF-7 TV (for one) will be there to cover the protest

http://www.wtrf.com/story/20487742/second-steubenville-rally-less-than-24-hours-away-massive-crowd-expected

[In_The_Wind]

170. Thank you.

The live stream feed for today is over.

[smirkymonkey]

93. K&R, Good for you!

Keep us posted!

[OccupyManny]

96. I attend as many Occupy events as possible

I drive a truck so I'm all over the country. I love going to occupy events. These folks are real patriots. I think they are responsible for the conscious raising that helped to re-elect our great president and people like Elizabeth Warren.

[ArnoldLayne]

98. I will take alot of pictures tomorrow in Steubenville Ohio

tomorrow 12:00 at the big rally but I don't know how to post them. If someone could help me I would really appreciate it.

[pinboy3niner]

100. Upload your digital pics to your computer...

...and then to a free image-hosting site like photobucket. That will give you several types of links to a pic. The "direct link" is the one that, when copied and pasted here, will display the image in your post.

Good luck!

[seabeyond]

169. and start a new thread, clearly titled. thanks. nt

[jberryhill]

188. "Look out for surveillance" and "post lots of pictures"

I always like this.

"OMG, they had cops taking pictures"

and

"See my photo stream on Flickr"

[amandabeech]

99. The girl is from West Virginia and the rapes took place in Ohio.

What I can't figure out from various reports is where she was drugged or became incredibly intoxicated.

Was it a set-up at the home of "friends"? Did the abusers show up in W. Va., serve her alcohol, drug her and then carry her across the river to Ohio?

It's been a long time since I took the bar, and I practiced in a specialized area not even covered by any bar, but it occurs to me that transporting minors across state lines for illegal purposes (various rape or sexual assault) might bring in the feds.

This is extremely disturbing, as are today's report of the anal rape of a totally drunken teenage male in Alaska.

There are days when I am glad that I didn't have children, and the past couple of days are on that list.

Practicing attys: what say ye?

[exboyfil]

129. Mann Act violation?

opening involvement by the Feds. It sounds like she was picked up at a volleyball party (I don't know if that was in Ohio or West Virginia).

I do have two daughters with one going off to college in 2014 and obviously I am worried. Right now my daughters have their church activities and groups, and I am pretty sure that does not involve alcohol. We keep a pretty tight lease on them and know were they are all of the time at night. We even question church activities (like wanting to go to a Christian concert in another state - that was shot down because we did not feel comfortable with the planning).

[lovuian]

101. Awesome

this town needs a wake up call

[ArnoldLayne]

102. It mght get violent tomorrow from what I hear.

I will be ready!!

[Tempest]

105. Since the cops are involved in the cover-up, it wouldn't surprise me

There will be plenty of eyes on the protest. But I still expect the cops to overreact.

[toby jo]

124. Sheriff Fred Abdulla was on the news all morning

he is pissed off that the names and addresses of juveniles were posted online.

"When you go after children, innocent children, and post their information, then I'm going after you." Same clip, every 20 minutes.

Funny, I haven't heard even 1 pissed off comment by this corrupt sob about 'you going after innocent girls'. They've got im on a jurisdictional issue, too. He tried to pass off his responsibility by saying it was the local cops responsibility, but they took this girl to several different towns around the county, so it is his responsibility. He looks to me like he's running scared. He's got international attention on him and he's a scumbag. I think he knows he's going down. Real cops coming to town. uh oh.

[ArnoldLayne]

131. I am heading up there to Steubenville right now. I'll take alot of pictures

but I have to learn how to post them to DU. It's going to be a bigger rally today.

[loyalsister]

128. Does this come with the endorsement by the victim?

nt

[randome]

130. THAT is a good question.

[loyalsister]

144. yeah....

It seems like a attempt to gain attention for an agenda only relevant if the victim is 100% behind it. Otherwise it is a narcissistic effort to hijack an incident that the victim may not want to be so public in the first place.

[bettyellen]

174. wrong. the case would have gone nowhere without the activists. and not a relevant agenda?

are you fucking kidding me? it's very relevant to women in this country.
this town tried to sweep it under the rug, and you are spewing the talking points the people who tried to hide this crime are using.

her father and other family members attended the rally today.

[randome]

175. 'Occupy' had nothing to do with the video being released.

They were not the activists who brought this into the open.

[loyalsister]

180. Occupy activists?

Seriously they were the ones who identified the problem and made the noise? Or is it more like the Trayvon Martin where average people not necessarily affiliated with any activists groups expressed outrage after learning about the incident via social media? I think it was the latter.

By relevant I mean...
What does it have to do with the income disparity, foreclosures, 99%.... that I have been told repeatedly occupy was about? In fact I have heard a claim of success because income and class disparity was part of the campaign.

I am glad to hear that there some support from family members, but occupy injecting itself into any controversy that may raise it's profile only confirms the characterization of narcissism.
I don't see NOW or NARAL or Planned Parenthood activists flocking to occupy groups, but they do know how to be supportive of situations without being so noisy that they put the original cause at risk of losing credibility. They are organized... they know how to advocate effectively and they know what does and doesn't work.

[bettyellen]

182. you think activist groups shld " be supportive of situations without being so noisy"? HILARIOUS.

This case needed much wider exposure than the one blogger was able to get on her own, and they got it. Why exactly do you think this is a bad thing?

maybe you should read up on Occupy since you are only aware of one area of their activism.

[loyalsister]

185. "This case needed much wider exposure"

That was achieved via social media- without occupy. Occupy has repeatedly claimed that they have no leadership and thus little organization. I have repeatedly heard from participants that that is the strength of the movement. Has that changed? Is there a listing of the multitude of causes they now claim?

[bettyellen]

187. It's all over the news today because of the protest. I give credit to ALL the activists involved,

especially the woman blogger who discovered and saved the images initially. But she needed a boost getting wider coverage, and Anon and Occupy are helping with that. The louder the better.
Not sure why people are thinking it's a bad thing, or should be more hush hush, as you suggested.

[randome]

189. Well, you see, I have no problem with saying that maybe someone else's point of view is valid.

But the hard-core 'Occupiers' seem to have a problem with EVER admitting that their functions might be less than 100% perfect.

I don't see the problem with agreeing that maybe, just maybe, hooking up the name 'Occupy' with a rape case kind of goes outside the parameters of economic justice.

[bettyellen]

195. Occupy is about social and economic justice, and how they are oft intertwined.

And I'm not going into the "fanboy" accusations. But, this was front page on a lot of websites, and I do think it's a great thing.
They have a great national network of committed liberals, and it helps get exposure. This case needed it.

[Z_I_Peevey]

153. The Sheriff is speaking to the Occupy crowd now

and defending his record on rape arrests. Livestream here:

http://www.wtrf.com/category/254216/occupy-steubenville-live-stream-january-5-rape-case

Lots of jeering and booing.

[superpatriotman]

155. watching the livestream

I see more than a few UCLEO's in the crowd

[ArnoldLayne]

167. Still at the rally. Alot of rape victims are speaking.

The Sheriff has spoken too. Getting ready to go to Naples Spaghetti House.

[Fire Walk With Me]

183. Here is a livestream archive of the event:

Stop The Wars ?@sickjew

Check archives of this livestream if you missed #occupysteubenville rally today ("videos" tab). Very powerful stuff.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/whitekid-tatted …

[zappaman]

186. WHOOOO HOOOOOO!!!! PAAAAAAAARTAY!!!!

A DJ and pizza for everyone?
Sounds like a blast!
Who wants to play beer pong?!

Just don't let the fact that a young woman was raped and school officials tried to cover it up, harsh your mellow!

[bettyellen]

190. I guess you've never protested before? You should have seen the DU meetups in NYC and DC before AND

...after war protests in those cities. Many people whose names you would recognize enjoyed lots of pizza, music and beer. Fucktons of beer. And they let other DUers into their homes and hotel rooms for some R+R. It makes it that much easier to do the right thing.


Because food donations and socializing are standard because people travel to places they do not know, and are surrounded by people thy have never met. This facilitates more activism and rewards people who are trying to make the world a better place. We celebrated the pizza delivered to protesters in Wisconsin last year, DUers sent pizza because we generally support activists here.

Why don't you? Seriously- what is up with that?

[zappaman]

191. I did send pizzas to Wisconsin last year.

Should I have sent some playlists for the rave???

PAAAAAARRRRRRTTTTTTAAAAAAAY!!!!!

[bettyellen]

194. Party? Obviously you missed the protest videos, and are posting BS.

[zappaman]

196. Any idea what the DJ will be spinning?

What is appropriate dance music for protesting a nasty rape and coverup?
Will folks have to bring their own pots and pans to bang on?
People love hearing pots and pans clatter, right?

How opportunistic of OCCUPY...
Any idea if they will be selling t-shirts?

[bettyellen]

197. there was NO DANCE party, FFS. they played some music in the background while speakers talked

You should stop posting in ignorance. Obviously you did not see a minute of the rally, yet have the nerve to come here and post lies about it. You should be embarrassed.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

193. I am there in spirit since I can't in person.

[RetroLounge]

202. I think it's hilarious how Occupy scares the wing-nuts and trolls

RL