You have been replaced
"You have been replaced by a machine"
What do you hear?
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Statues in Grand Rapids, MI
Showing posts with label mini-protest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mini-protest. Show all posts
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Friday, November 4, 2011
It Strikes Me Funny: The Occupy Movement touches nerves
[“Once again I read an article about people occupying some area in support of what? How many of those people really know what they are supporting? Nine percent unemployment?” Norm. B., Nov. 3]
My most recent column “Why occupy Wall Street, Bay Street, Victoria Park?” hit the streets yesterday and, as any newspaper column in this big wide world is capable of doing, opened the door to some give and take between this writer and his readership.
As usual, I’ll use the good manners my mother taught me, answer every email, try to handle questions thrown my way like an astute tennis pro and leave the reader feeling like he/she at least got a straight answer if not an agreeable one.
In the following exchange, which is now on-going, you’ll notice I didn’t rise to all the bait. Will you give me an A for astute?
Norm B. writes the following:
Once again I read an article about people occupying some area in support of what? How many of those people really know what they are supporting? Nine percent unemployment?
Sure I’m upset about that but what’s the solution? Shouldn’t I have some solution in mind when I am protesting something? Lack of good employment? What is good employment? Ditch digging?
C’mon Gord, most of your columns are pretty good for a retired school teacher but this one is pretty nebulous. It’s like you’ve come out on the side of protest but wrote something just for the sake of getting the column out.
Moments ago I sent the following reply:
Hi Norm,
Thanks for your email. You're the first person in 10 years to describe one of my brilliant columns as "pretty nebulous."
Another reader wrote the following, also a first:
"Gordon, Pretty slim thinking, wouldn't you say?"
I wish I had a budget. You folks deserve at least a free coffee!
["Don't run from problems. Train for the long haul."]
On a more serious note, I can understand the questions you and others have about an occupation. I have questions myself.
The book I mention, however, by Chris Hedges (Death of the Liberal Class) may provide answers for some people, and that's why I devoted half my column to it.
In the one paragraph I quoted, Ernie Bell actually hit upon 6 reasons (I only mentioned 3, thinking that readers could tease out the other 3 themselves) why people in the US would be angry and, like him, take to the streets.
Occupiers in Victoria Park may not use his words but I think they feel some of the same fear, anger or frustration, especially when it relates to job hunting and a secure future.
You ask, “Shouldn’t I have some solution in mind when I am protesting something?”
I think, for some, because they can't think of a solution they feel the need to protest. They may have heard about the days, e.g., 1970s (my era), when people could get a job for life with decent pay. They may want to know or question why there has been a great shift away from secure, full-time jobs.
Finally, you mention ditch digging. I would take that job - yes, I feel it's good employment - because my grand father was a digger (graves were his specialty), and I guess I can sometimes dig myself into a nebulous hole!
Thanks again for your comments.
Gord Harrison
@The Londoner
Admittedly, I didn’t try to answer all Norm’s questions or rise to all the bait in the water.
For example, I feel no need to address the idea that “most of your columns are pretty good for a retired school teacher” or delve into his last sentence re the side I seem to be taking or the amount of effort I put into the column. Ted Williams never had a batting average of 1.000 but why moan about that?
I could have directed him to read my blog post about Ernie Bell’s six reasons that could motivate someone to occupy a street of significant address, but still, I give myself a pretty good grade for the reply.
Do I can an A for astute?
***
Norm just got back to me. No A from him.
Please click here for more about “Why Occupy Wall Street.”
.
My most recent column “Why occupy Wall Street, Bay Street, Victoria Park?” hit the streets yesterday and, as any newspaper column in this big wide world is capable of doing, opened the door to some give and take between this writer and his readership.
As usual, I’ll use the good manners my mother taught me, answer every email, try to handle questions thrown my way like an astute tennis pro and leave the reader feeling like he/she at least got a straight answer if not an agreeable one.
In the following exchange, which is now on-going, you’ll notice I didn’t rise to all the bait. Will you give me an A for astute?
Norm B. writes the following:
Once again I read an article about people occupying some area in support of what? How many of those people really know what they are supporting? Nine percent unemployment?
Sure I’m upset about that but what’s the solution? Shouldn’t I have some solution in mind when I am protesting something? Lack of good employment? What is good employment? Ditch digging?
C’mon Gord, most of your columns are pretty good for a retired school teacher but this one is pretty nebulous. It’s like you’ve come out on the side of protest but wrote something just for the sake of getting the column out.
Moments ago I sent the following reply:
Hi Norm,
Thanks for your email. You're the first person in 10 years to describe one of my brilliant columns as "pretty nebulous."
Another reader wrote the following, also a first:
"Gordon, Pretty slim thinking, wouldn't you say?"
I wish I had a budget. You folks deserve at least a free coffee!
["Don't run from problems. Train for the long haul."]
On a more serious note, I can understand the questions you and others have about an occupation. I have questions myself.
The book I mention, however, by Chris Hedges (Death of the Liberal Class) may provide answers for some people, and that's why I devoted half my column to it.
In the one paragraph I quoted, Ernie Bell actually hit upon 6 reasons (I only mentioned 3, thinking that readers could tease out the other 3 themselves) why people in the US would be angry and, like him, take to the streets.
Occupiers in Victoria Park may not use his words but I think they feel some of the same fear, anger or frustration, especially when it relates to job hunting and a secure future.
You ask, “Shouldn’t I have some solution in mind when I am protesting something?”
I think, for some, because they can't think of a solution they feel the need to protest. They may have heard about the days, e.g., 1970s (my era), when people could get a job for life with decent pay. They may want to know or question why there has been a great shift away from secure, full-time jobs.
Finally, you mention ditch digging. I would take that job - yes, I feel it's good employment - because my grand father was a digger (graves were his specialty), and I guess I can sometimes dig myself into a nebulous hole!
Thanks again for your comments.
Gord Harrison
@The Londoner
Admittedly, I didn’t try to answer all Norm’s questions or rise to all the bait in the water.
For example, I feel no need to address the idea that “most of your columns are pretty good for a retired school teacher” or delve into his last sentence re the side I seem to be taking or the amount of effort I put into the column. Ted Williams never had a batting average of 1.000 but why moan about that?
I could have directed him to read my blog post about Ernie Bell’s six reasons that could motivate someone to occupy a street of significant address, but still, I give myself a pretty good grade for the reply.
Do I can an A for astute?
***
Norm just got back to me. No A from him.
Please click here for more about “Why Occupy Wall Street.”
.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
My Point of View: I’m glad (possibly) Sarah Palin lives south of the border
I must have had my head under a pillow or was working in the shed, so I missed some big news, but a moment ago I read that Sarah Palin is open to a possible White House run in 2012.
Underline ‘possible’ because Palin claims she has not made up her mind.
(That she resigned from her position as Governor of Alaska recently to embark on a whirlwind book signing and people greeting and hand shaking and head shaking and baby kissing tour in the USA, of course, means nothing).
Her words:
["It would be absurd...": photo link]
I think that it would be absurd to not consider what it is that I can potentially do to help our country.
(Underline ‘potentially’).
I won’t close the door that perhaps could be open for me in the future.
(Underline ‘perhaps’).
She also said she thought President Obama would be vulnerable in a re-election fight if he continues with his agenda.
In my humble opinion, please underline President, Palin, possible, potentially, perhaps, and PLEASE NO!
***
I will now check my site meter to see if I get a visit from a bookstore in Des Moine.
The last line will leave you rolling in the aisle if you click here for context.
Well, maybe not in the aisle, unless you’re from Des Moine...
.
Underline ‘possible’ because Palin claims she has not made up her mind.
(That she resigned from her position as Governor of Alaska recently to embark on a whirlwind book signing and people greeting and hand shaking and head shaking and baby kissing tour in the USA, of course, means nothing).
Her words:
["It would be absurd...": photo link]
I think that it would be absurd to not consider what it is that I can potentially do to help our country.
(Underline ‘potentially’).
I won’t close the door that perhaps could be open for me in the future.
(Underline ‘perhaps’).
She also said she thought President Obama would be vulnerable in a re-election fight if he continues with his agenda.
In my humble opinion, please underline President, Palin, possible, potentially, perhaps, and PLEASE NO!
***
I will now check my site meter to see if I get a visit from a bookstore in Des Moine.
The last line will leave you rolling in the aisle if you click here for context.
Well, maybe not in the aisle, unless you’re from Des Moine...
.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Mini-protest at Highland Country Club enters Day 3
It really doesn’t take much time and energy to mount an effective protest.
(The word ‘effective’ has several meanings, as you may know!)
First, you need some basic supplies.
Second, you need to find a worthy target. Highland Country Club, perched on grand property south of Commissioners at Wortley Rd. will do just fine.
With a deal that allows it to pay only 60 per cent of its annual taxes and a Club President that says ‘the tax issue has been put to rest’, I think it’s the perfect place to pound in my huge sign.
One club member says they’re all just a bunch of ordinary folks, true advocates for the city.
Yeh, I’ll believe that when pigs can fly.
***
Raise your hand if you believe Corvettes, Mustangs, $12,000 initiation fee and $5,000 annual dues are an ordinary part of your budget.
Should Highland pay 100 % of their taxes, now that times have changed and they’ve somehow managed to get their feet on the ground?
.
(The word ‘effective’ has several meanings, as you may know!)
First, you need some basic supplies.
Second, you need to find a worthy target. Highland Country Club, perched on grand property south of Commissioners at Wortley Rd. will do just fine.
With a deal that allows it to pay only 60 per cent of its annual taxes and a Club President that says ‘the tax issue has been put to rest’, I think it’s the perfect place to pound in my huge sign.
One club member says they’re all just a bunch of ordinary folks, true advocates for the city.
Yeh, I’ll believe that when pigs can fly.
***
Raise your hand if you believe Corvettes, Mustangs, $12,000 initiation fee and $5,000 annual dues are an ordinary part of your budget.
Should Highland pay 100 % of their taxes, now that times have changed and they’ve somehow managed to get their feet on the ground?
.
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