Adam Carolla on the 1% (and occupy this and that) NSFW Lang.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Wicked NSFW with language. Dude goes s***.

http://boston.barstoolsports.com/m/feat ... ever-hear/

[alms24sebring]

Great points on the world today! Its absolutly true an we've been through this before. I actually agree with him as much as I havent liked him in the last few years. People are afraid to do anything about it because anything that promotes discipline puts you in jail, its sick. Trophies that are awarded for losing defeats the entire purpose of winning. Now I think kids cant learn anything because they always have a phone in front of them or having technology do everything for them, while the rich daddy government pays parents that just sit back and collect money for free.

[headhunt3r]

I partially agree with his reasoning for his rant. There is a lot of entitlement attitude that is bad, and the pity trophies I've always hated as well, but he's also neglected to talk about the differences for the path to success between the previous generation and the current. People back then could finish college debt free by working part time while studying and full time in the summer on a min. wage job. Now that is not even close to possible.

Another part of the OWS is also about the corruption and treatment of large corporations, but this part I don't understand as well as the education part, so I won't speak on it.

For fun, here are some graphs to check out: http://www.alternet.org/occupywallst/15 ... age=entire

[PapaSmurf2k3]

People back then could finish college debt free by working part time while studying and full time in the summer on a min. wage job. Now that is not even close to possible.

Why does it have to be minimum wage? If you are skilled labor, you should get paid accordingly. Get a job that pays better than min wage and you can graduate debt free. I did it. In-state tuition, and monitor your finances. Does everyone really need a $400 iPhone?

Not getting into a debate on all the graphs, but this first one grabbed my attention:

That's sort of the entire idea behind manufacturing engineering. Trying to increase productivity per unit labor hour. I wouldn't be surprised if the split in curves there is more due to automation and things like faster communication (Email, etc) that enable workers to be more efficient.

[audtatious]

but he's also neglected to talk about the differences for the path to success between the previous generation and the current. People back then could finish college debt free by working part time while studying and full time in the summer on a min. wage job. Now that is not even close to possible.

Some of that is due to greedy colleges who have money in the bank but still receive Gov handouts. The other fault lies with people getting degrees in which there are no jobs or for jobs which don't pay enough to earn a living. Times change and the days of having a job waiting for you when you get out of college are over and were over before I even got out of school in '84.

[Mr1der]

going to college doesn't even guarantee a better paying job. I think I currently make more than the average college graduate.

I've made 32k before taxes this year so far.

and yeah, 3 minutes into this and I agree with him.

get out and f*** earn it.

[Jesda]

GENERATION "Y" = SPARKLY VAMPIRES

[MinisterofDOOM]

For fun, here are some graphs to check out: http://www.alternet.org/occupywallst/15 ... age=entire

That page makes me almost as angry as Adam Corolla. More whining.


This one, complaining about the drop in family income. Yeah, I can explain that: Everyone has five kids by the time they're 22 years old these days. They crank 'em out like they just invented the assembly line. I have SO MANY friends who could barely support themselves and then for mind-boggling reasons not conceivable by functional human brains, decided to go out and get married and start squeezing out kids. Everywhere I look I see 20-something parents with little education or experience and a lot of kids. The average family income has not decreased for any of the evil conspiratorial reasons suggested by that article. The average family income has fallen right along with the ability of the average parent to do anything more difficult than asking me if I'd like fries with that. AS IT SHOULD.

[AZhitman]

GENERATION "Y" = SPOILED SPARKLY UNEMPLOYED ENTITLED ILLITERATE VAMPIRES

ftfy.

[RCA]

For fun, here are some graphs to check out: http://www.alternet.org/occupywallst/15 ... age=entire

That page makes me almost as angry as Adam Corolla. More whining.

Yeah, I can explain that: Everyone has five kids by the time they're 22 years old these days

Even if that is the case, the graph is describing income changes of between 79-06 and not the changes in expenses to income.

Adam Corolla sounds like a tool.
It's not about taking down the rich because we are hurting; it's getting the rich's money out of politics. The "rich" influence policy which has helped destroy the global economy. After reading countless discussions I feel that most people don't know what's going on with OWS.

[Razi]

I feel that most people don't know what's going on with OWS.

It's not dirty liberal hippies begging for jobs?! Lies!

[MinisterofDOOM]

Even if that is the case, the graph is describing income changes of between 79-06 and not the changes in expenses to income.

I wasn't referring to the expenses, although I realize the comment sort of comes across that way. What I was getting at is that people are forming families before they're able to support them these days. The 5 kids comment was just an example of how people seem to rush from high school to McDonalds to crapping out babies as fast as possible without ensuring that they've got a job and the other means needed to support that family. Many of these people I'm referring to are not capable of having a "real job" that could properly support a family, because the same failures of mental capacity that led them to have children they can't feed also prevent them from getting hired by anyone looking for reliable employees. They have no business having a family OR a child (let alone multiple children) but they do it anyway, and then they add insult to injury by demanding help from others in supporting that family.

[Jesda]

It's not about taking down the rich because we are hurting; it's getting the rich's money out of politics.

That was the movement's agenda for the first 2-3 weeks, then every dimwitted idiot unhappy with their place in life latched on and demanded freebies.

Same thing happened with the Tea Party. Started out as a counter-conservative movement with a strong focus on fiscal policy, then after a month some idiots joined and started accusing the president of being a Kenyan Muslim born on the moon.

[AZhitman]

^ That.

[RCA]

It's not about taking down the rich because we are hurting; it's getting the rich's money out of politics.

That was the movement's agenda for the first 2-3 weeks...

I have to disagree with you.
Although, yes some crazies have jumped on board, the majority have stayed on track. Proof can be seen in Occupy's next move...

Occupy Congress

[AZhitman]

I get where you're going, RCA - But that postcard isn't "proof" of anything.

The anarchist tone of the movement is disruptive, counter-productive, and ineffectual. Interfering with working-class peoples' ability to get to/from work (even if they DO work for a "conglomerate") is idiotic.

No, if they had a clue, they'd be "Occupy"ing Apple, Disney, the NBA, and Google. They're accomplishing nothing.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/fo ... titialskip

Great assessment of the hypocrisy and short-sightedness of a confused, angst-y bunch of people who are, as Jesda pointed out, simply unhappy with their lives.

The rest of us are too busy working, producing, accomplishing, overcoming, and succeeding to be bothered with such nonsense.

[Encryptshun]

Greg, you had me right up until the last statement. It's dismissive to imply that those participating in this movement are somehow voluntarily opting out of those things you mention. Simply not the case (at least in as much as would warrant a statistical probability).

Fact is that, when faced with record unemployment among adults of their demographic, these folk choose to go out and do something rather than sit at home watching TV and playing video games (you don't have to be at home to look for jobs). If what you are protesting is the belief that the LACK of money means you don't have as much of a say in how your nation is governed, what else CAN you do? We aren't in the middle of an election cycle, there are no candidates right now to come out in support of. But what they are doing is giving people who may want to run for office but who may be worried that their views will be unpoplar the impetus and courage to go ahead and step forward in 2012. If they can inspire even just a handful of legislators who will go to Washington and have the courage and integrity to turn down the corrupting influences then I think the Occupy movement can be called successful.

[AZhitman]

I'm all for the removal of corrupting influences. But unemployment is 9%... not 19%.

If you don't like the world the way it is, change it - Productively.

If all those people with nothing to do all day were to get together and volunteer their energy and time righting the smaller wrongs, 2 things would happen:

They'd likely get employed. Employers love go-getters.
They'd make the world a better place rather than a dirty campsite.

You're old enough to know that TONS of candidates have run on the "legislator who will go to Washington and have the courage and integrity to turn down the corrupting influences" platform.

Then they get to Washington and get their a$$ handed to them in a picnic basket, and they either assimilate or disappear.

[Red coupe]

That page makes me almost as angry as Adam Corolla. More whining.

Yeah, I can explain that: Everyone has five kids by the time they're 22 years old these days

Even if that is the case, the graph is describing income changes of between 79-06 and not the changes in expenses to income.

Adam Corolla sounds like a tool.
It's not about taking down the rich because we are hurting; it's getting the rich's money out of politics. The "rich" influence policy which has helped destroy the global economy. After reading countless discussions I feel that most people don't know what's going on with OWS.

After reading countless discussion threads, I feel that most of the OWS kids don't know what is going on with OWS.
First off, Let me just ask you to look down at your shirt, because I am curious what the logo on it is...

Second, its not that they are so wrong... just so pointless.

You know why politicians take so much money from the rich?
Because the poor don't have nearly as much.

What is it you want? Regardless of how many tents you bring none of the next three presidents will win on a campaign that costs $32,000... and its hard to get money from the poor. So what is it that you guys are suggesting? Because with out that part figured out all bringing 1,000,000 tents to the white house will do is lose wages for the middle class while giving millions of dollars of profits to wealthy tent manufacturers...

[AZhitman]

Absent man speak big truth.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Must... buy stock in tent manufacturers and possibly the wal marts that sell them...

[RCA]

The anarchist tone of the movement is disruptive, counter-productive, and ineffectual. Interfering with working-class peoples' ability to get to/from work (even if they DO work for a "conglomerate") is idiotic.
No, if they had a clue, they'd be "Occupy"ing Apple, Disney, the NBA, and Google. They're accomplishing nothing.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/fo ... titialskip
Great assessment of the hypocrisy and short-sightedness of a confused, angst-y bunch of people who are, as Jesda pointed out, simply unhappy with their lives.
The rest of us are too busy working, producing, accomplishing, overcoming, and succeeding to be bothered with such nonsense...

But unemployment is 9%... not 19%....

"Anarchist tone"? What else do you like watching on Fox? I see people peacefully gathering while police show up in riot gear and pepper spraying anything that moves.
As for it being ineffectual; it is definitely raising eye brows. Enough so that a coordinated nation wide removal of Occupants from there camps happened simultaneously from LA to NY in the period of 3 or so hours. Has it changed any legislation? Not that I know of but it is a little early isn't it? It can take Congress years to pass any meaningful legislation so I wouldn't expect OWS to change the world so quickly. We still haven't figured out our necessary budget cuts.

The article is from an opinion column of someone who doesn't know what it's about. Wall St. was the location chosen because they brought the GLOBAL economy to it's knees for irresponsible/illegal trading. So those who made money off of people having their homes foreclosed and lives ruined are criminalized, and rightfully so. Basketball players aren't the target. Their salary is because sponsors and people are willing to attend their games. But you take a look at that "change in family income" chart and notice it's on an exponential curve. When costs of living increasing any income stagnant the bottom %50 won't be attending games and like supply and demand tell us, only major cities will be able to harvest NBA teams and on average salaries will decline.

I hope you can always manage to "work, produce, accomplish, overcome, and succeed".
A layoff, SOPA bill passing, copyright notice, NICO blacklisted and you might find yourself in their shoes.
Do you not think there is anything wrong? If so then what does it matter the catalyst for change?

You need to take a look at under employment. People with educations and great backgrounds working part time as Macy's.

After reading countless discussion threads, I feel that most of the OWS kids don't know what is going on with OWS.
First off, Let me just ask you to look down at your shirt, because I am curious what the logo on it is...

Second, its not that they are so wrong... just so pointless.

You know why politicians take so much money from the rich?
Because the poor don't have nearly as much.

What is it you want? Regardless of how many tents you bring none of the next three presidents will win on a campaign that costs $32,000... and its hard to get money from the poor. So what is it that you guys are suggesting? Because with out that part figured out all bringing 1,000,000 tents to the white house will do is lose wages for the middle class while giving millions of dollars of profits to wealthy tent manufacturers...

1) Champ Sports
2) If it's pointless then why worry? If it works, great and if not you can tell us all "I told you so". I don't understand the negative energy on a movement that, according to you and Greg, won't get anything done or affect your lives in any way. Look, all the OWS attendants are mooching off the system and they won't change anything so let them all die off like Darwin predicted and only people like you will be left.

Obvious statement about politicians taking money is fine and all but that shouldn't be the case.
Political System reform is the end goal; in the mean time tent manufacturers will see spikes in profits but if it changes the world for the better, who cares. If it doesn't so what (unless you plan on shorting Coleman). What have you done to make a difference? Post on NICO your frustrations?

[Jesda]

Although, yes some crazies have jumped on board, the majority have stayed on track. Proof can be seen in Occupy's next move...

It isn't just some, especially if you've been to or observed the protests in California and Oregon (greetings from the left coast! I'll be here for a week more)

And yes, I've been watching the OWS streams live, sometimes for hours at a time. While many OWS cities continue to be modestly organized for such a nebulous mob, the original intent and meaning were lost long ago as students and fringe groups latched on and expanded their "demands" to include freebies and handouts.

In my hometown of St Louis, they've stayed mostly on point, likely due to the presence of a Federal Reserve building downtown serving as a reminder. In many other cities, it's blind civil unrest.

I'm all for opposition to the unethical collusion of government and business. I'm not in favor of blindly protesting the rich just because it feels good.



To properly run a protest, you need leadership and explicit policy goals that resonate clearly with the mainstream. You can't run it like a feel-good open democracy or else nothing gets done -- I have friends participating in OWS who actually believe that it's about "making contacts with different groups of people and engaging in free and open democracy" rather than, you know, growing the eff up and achieving worthwhile change.

You can't fart out a 20-page list of grievances either. An effective movement has to choose one or two very clear reasons for existing and repeat them over and over (and over!) without interruption or interference.


The Tea Party was successful in actually ELECTING candidates and throwing out several incumbents! Sure, half of them were bonkers, but they at least figured out how to get things done.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I see people peacefully gathering while police show up in riot gear and pepper spraying anything that moves.

I'll agree with that, and that its pretty s***. I'm actually amazed there hasn't been more outrage over that stuff. What happened to the right for peaceful protest?
I'm the sort of person that will sympathize with them over that, even if I don't agree with their logic or lifestyle.

[Jesda]

Yeah, some of the police actions were BS

[AZhitman]

"Anarchist tone"? What else do you like watching on Fox?

I don't watch TV for the most part, and certainly not Fox (as if that matters).

I see people peacefully gathering while police show up in riot gear and pepper spraying anything that moves.

Haven't seen any such thing. I DID watch coverage of regular, working-class people who just HAPPEN to work for OWS "targets" being harassed and interfered with on their way to work. That's a good way to get your a$$ kicked, and deservedly so. Get in my way on my way to feed my family and we'll see how good your dental insurance (and my attorney) is.

So those who made money off of people having their homes foreclosed and lives ruined are criminalized, and rightfully so.

Yet people who HAD to be "ghetto fabulous" overspent, bought crap they couldn't afford, got $250K houses on a $40K annual income, racked up credit card debt, and left vacant properties in their wake.... Meanwhile, responsible homeowners (like me) who live within our means get to be punished with declining property values and paying for the screw-ups of others.

Let's keep the blame right where it needs to be - on the cultural and social forces that lead people to believe they DESERVE a new house, new car, nice clothes, expensive toys without EARNING them.

No, it's easier for slow-witted people to blame "The Man". But EVERY one of those nincompoops would GLADLY take a $90K a year job on Wall Street. Hmmmm....

I hope you can always manage to "work, produce, accomplish, overcome, and succeed".

Thanks. I sincerely hope the same for you (and everyone else here, even if I disagree with them).

A layoff, SOPA bill passing, copyright notice, NICO blacklisted and you might find yourself in their shoes.

Been through almost all of those, and worse. Never blamed "The Man", and certainly never felt the need to camp in a park to resolve my problems - I went and found another job, put in extra hours, cut back on expenses, did my homework, and made better use of my time.

Do you not think there is anything wrong?

Yep. I sure do. I think we're becoming lazy, entitled, self-centered, celebrity-worshipping slackers who expect to be spoon-fed everything - From health care to wages to information to directions to education and more. I encourage everyone here to BE MORE than that.

You need to take a look at under employment. People with educations and great backgrounds working part time as Macy's.

No, I don't. I'm one of them.

My State job pays a ridiculously small amount, despite my advanced degree and nearly 30 years in the work force... The manager at the fast food place across the street makes more than I do (and he's got a GED). So, no - I don't need to "look at" under-employment. I save the state literally millions of dollars every year, for about $40K.

We're all in the same boat. Good for those people for actually GOING to work at Macy's. At least they're not lounging in a park with a sign and an attitude, making a mess that taxpayers have to clean up.

Those people are fortunate to have the protections of the US Constitution. In most other countries, they'd all be slaughtered for their audacity. I fear they're less-than-appreciative of this fact.

As always, these are my opinions, and certainly aren't intended to diminish yours (or anyone else's) valid and well-thought out positions.

[AZhitman]

I see people peacefully gathering while police show up in riot gear and pepper spraying anything that moves.

I'll agree with that, and that its pretty bullsh*t. I'm actually amazed there hasn't been more outrage over that stuff. What happened to the right for peaceful protest? I'm the sort of person that will sympathize with them over that, even if I don't agree with their logic or lifestyle.

Mmmmm, no.

One of the pepper-sprayed students told Goodman, "We had encircled them [campus police], and they were trying to leave, and they were trying to clear a path. And so, we sat down, linked arms, and said that if they wanted to clear the path, they would have to go through us"

What none of the anti-police crowd will admit is that quisling politicians have placed officers in an impossible situation. They have asked ordinary police forces to face down a movement that openly advocates for a revolution...But police must face them once more - knowing their every action will be videotaped and photographed by dozens or even hundreds of Occupiers.

And then these videotapes will be used by sympathetic media members to point the finger of blame at those trying to keep the peace.

Wouldn't it be nice if they actually did some investigating to determine what really happened rather than shooting first and asking questions later?

This wasn't Kent State, as the idiot Joy Behar claimed. Or a "Rodney King incident", as Ed Schultz blabbed.

These kids had no idea what they were organizing for, and they screwed up. You don't surround a bunch of cops who have asked you to leave and restrict their freedom of movement - that's just ASKING for trouble. No boo-hooing allowed.

[Encryptshun]

In Davis, California:


San Diego:


In Seattle:


Also Seattle: This girl was pregnant. She was trying to leave the group, which was surrounded by police. Though she identified herself as being 3-months pregnant and wanting just to go on her way, she was beaten, kicked and pepper-sprayed and had a miscarriage afterward:


None of the above incidents were incited by a violent crowd. In the top picture, they students were having a sit-in. In the latter two, the crowd was peacefully marching and police decided to forcibly scatter the crowd. The mob surge started as marchers began to panic that they were going to be hurt by the police.

So much for right to peaceably assemble, eh?

[AZhitman]

http://polination.wordpress.com/2011/12 ... -happened/

It's sad that any of these events had to come down to "what really happened".

Methinks EVERYONE (protestors and authorities alike) needs to "grow the F up".

Then again, they're all the same people, the same generation, from the same background - Just different clothes.

[Encryptshun]

^ Okay, I accept my (and thank you for making it gentle) trip to the woodshed on that one, though methinks the owner of the Polination site might be just a wee bit biased. In the spirit of judging the message and not the messenger, though, touche.