[Ob-media-social] [Ob-media] Fwd: MENINO: OCCUPY SUPPORTERS ‘AIMING THEIR FIRE AT THE WRONG PLACE/suggested response FIRST DRAFT

Deborah Sirotkin Butler amberpaw at gmail.com
Tue Dec 6 16:39:55 EST 2011


Agree that there needs to be a large, indoor venue.  Maybe at MassArt, or
one of the schools (like that other large meeting) or?  Developing spaces
for such meetings is, I think, important and becoming urgent.  The host has
to be OB, and it is also democracy in action to bring the idea of this Town
Hall w/Menino to the GA.  If I can, I will manage to attend that one.  My
life can be rather complex, though - two client's children who are in state
care were suddenly hospitalized this week, just for example of the
unexpected that can "trump" my plans.  I should not be "#1" on anything but
I can write, monitor SHNS and other things, and contribute - hope that is
enough.

AND...he might just come.  He is all about his legacy now, IMHO.

Deborah Sirotkin Butler

On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 4:14 PM, Elias Feghali <efeghali at gmail.com> wrote:

> Martin, this is a great idea. Maybe he would come. Let's not make
> assumptions. More importantly, this is could be an important venue to have
> a larger dialogue with greater community -- regardless if he shows.
>
> I have serious concerns about facilitation and how it would actually go
> down. Let's keep thinking about this and bring other groups into the mix,
> if you're serious. It would take a lot of work. Let's not rush things.
>
> I feel like a formal statement inviting the Mayor to a GA needs to go
> through GA. Temp check on that though? It's a nice statement.
>
> Eli
>
> On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 4:07 PM, Martin <m2 at occupyboston.org> wrote:
>
>> **
>> I do not think Dewey is the proper place for this at all. given that it
>> can only fit TOPS 150 people. media alone would take half the space. not to
>> mention the horrible idea to host these meetings out doors in the middle of
>> the new England winter. where only the crack heads at camp and the very
>> hard core occupiers will show up.
>>
>> this needs to be done at city hall or a large university auditorium. this
>> invite is to go to the ENTIRE city of Boston. not just the 130 tents a
>> dewey. We want massive attendace to this.
>>
>> and yes the open letter & town hall invite combo are a BRILLIANT tactic.
>> and we host the town hall weather Menino comes or not if he is a no show
>> there is a seat with his name tag on the table very noticeably vacant.
>>
>> martin
>>
>>
>> On 12/6/11 3:58 PM, Deborah Sirotkin Butler wrote:
>>
>> Well said, Martin.  Providential that that GSA Audit of the federal
>> reserve came out showing an additional $16 trillion in secret bailouts.
>> (provided that w/draft as a .pdf)
>>
>> The combination of the responsive letter AND such an invite/town hall at
>> Dewey is a BRILLIANT and effective idea.  +1
>>
>> Deb Sirotkin Butler
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 3:45 PM, Martin <m2 at occupyboston.org> wrote:
>>
>>>  Team,
>>>
>>> why don't we send Menino asking for his help in taking on the right
>>> targets. how can he work with the citizens, whom he has a duty to serve, to
>>> take on the abuses of power from congress, the fed and the big banks?  or
>>> at least join us for a town hall, where ALL of Boston is invited, to
>>> discuss these issues.
>>>
>>> most likely he will ignore it or decline/refuse. best case scenario he
>>> agrees and a city conversation is started. let's do this not as a challenge
>>> but as an invitation given his own words that we should aim at the right
>>> target.
>>>
>>> cheers
>>>
>>> martin
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 12/6/11 11:20 AM, Deborah Sirotkin Butler wrote:
>>>
>>>  *As a practical matter, while it may well "feel" like Occupy is
>>> "aiming" at mayors, it is not the reality.  It is true that Occupy is like
>>> a "thorn" in their side due to the very visibility that makes this movement
>>> different.*
>>> **
>>> *As the GAO audit of the Fed, reported  that was just issued makes
>>> clear, mayors and everyone else was robbed of $16 trillion dollars (I have
>>> attached the report) for those interested).*
>>> *So I strongly, strongly suggest a response be done, ASAP and provide a
>>> first draft & that this be done as an "open letter" that also is on the
>>> website, the facebook page, and possibly released with a brief PR.  *
>>> **
>>> *This should be done and go out TODAY as this SHNS story went to ALL
>>> newspapers across the state, all legislators, etc.*
>>> **
>>> *Deb Sirotkin Butler*
>>> **
>>> *Open Letter to The Honorable Thomas M. Menino*
>>> *(address)*
>>> **
>>> *Dear Mayor Minino:*
>>> **
>>> *Occupy Boston appreciates the location, services and hospitality
>>> received to date at Dewey Square.  The Dewey Square location in the
>>> financial district across from the Boston Federal Reserve is critical to
>>> our core message, which is the pillaging of the United States and its
>>> citizens by the banking industry, with the collusion of the Federal Reserve
>>> Bank.  In fact, just recently in the first-ever audit of the Federal
>>> Reserve System, a $16 trillion transfer without over sight, no strings
>>> attached was uncovered from the Federal Reserve Bank to private banks, most
>>> of them overseas.*
>>> **
>>> *While it may feel as if as a mayor you are targeted, in fact, our
>>> survival as a country is at stake, our target is the preservation of
>>> American Democracy, and we ask for your cooperation in making Occupy Boston
>>> all it can be as part of this critical effort.  That includes
>>> winterization, sanitation, and a good working relationship to those ends so
>>> that Occupy Boston can continue to fight for the liberty and financial
>>> security of not just Boston, not just Massachusetts, but the United States
>>> of America while keeping the light and media and citizenry focused on the
>>> depredations by the banking industry with the collusion of Congress.*
>>> **
>>> *Respectfully:*
>>> **
>>> *[signature bloc]*
>>> **
>>> *I am due in a hearing in Lowell at noon, so have to zoom off, so I
>>> apologize is this is rought, but I HAD to take time to give you all this
>>> heads up - PLEASE grab the ball and run with it!!!*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: State House News Service <news at statehousenews.com>
>>> Date: Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 10:32 AM
>>> Subject: MENINO: OCCUPY SUPPORTERS ‘AIMING THEIR FIRE AT THE WRONG PLACE’
>>> To: NEWS at statehousenews.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> MENINO: OCCUPY SUPPORTERS ‘AIMING THEIR FIRE AT THE WRONG PLACE’
>>>
>>> By Kyle Cheney
>>> STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
>>>
>>> STATE HOUSE, BSOTON, DEC. 6, 2011…..Boston Mayor Thomas Menino on
>>> Tuesday chastised backers of the Occupy Wall Street movement for training
>>> their anger at municipal leaders rather than Congress, and the accused the
>>> group of a scattershot message that would benefit from taking on a single
>>> issue.
>>>
>>> “Mayors can’t do much about what they’re talking about. It’s the
>>> Congress and the Senate but nobody’s talking to them at all. They come at
>>> mayors,” Menino told reporters after speaking at a Greater Boston Chamber
>>> of Commerce breakfast at the Fairmont Copley Hotel. “Mayors can’t make
>>> decisions on banks’ regulations. Mayors can’t make decisions on
>>> scholarships. Mayors can’t make decisions on housing. It’s all down in
>>> Washington. They’re aiming their fire at the wrong place.
>>>
>>> Menino’s remarks came as he awaits a judge’s decision that will clarify
>>> whether he has the power to evict Occupy Boston protesters from their
>>> long-held encampment in Dewey Square, at the heart of Boston’s financial
>>> district.
>>>
>>> Menino said he hasn’t assumed the outcome of the Suffolk Superior Court
>>> Judge Frances McIntyre’s decision yet, but he questioned the Occupy
>>> movement’s tactics.
>>>
>>> “If they had one issue, I believe they could be a very powerful
>>> operation. They don’t have one issue, they have several issues,” he said.
>>> “Those several issues are issues that middle America cares about. Until you
>>> focus on one … you’re not going to have many wins.”
>>>
>>> Critics of the Occupy movement – which has branded itself as a voice to
>>> protest economic inequality and a political and financial system rigged to
>>> benefit the wealthiest, best-connected Americans – argue that protesters
>>> haven’t offered a clear solution. Menino’s criticism echoes similar remarks
>>> offered by former Republican presidential primary contender Herman Cain,
>>> who suggested that protesters aim their anger at government, rather than at
>>> the financial industry.
>>>
>>> Menino’s comments also come as mayors in other cities are grappling with
>>> how to handle Occupy protests of their own. The protesters have primarily
>>> set up camp in major downtown areas, and critics argue they present a
>>> public health and public safety hazard. Menino, whose police commissioner
>>> Ed Davis attended the breakfast, said he shared those concerns.
>>>
>>> Judge McIntyre said she would rule on Menino’s authority to remove
>>> protesters. She has indicated her ruling would come by the end of next week.
>>>
>>> -END-
>>> 12/6/2011
>>>
>>>
>>> Serving the working press since 1910
>>>
>>> http://www.statehousenews.com
>>>
>>>
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>>
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