I wonder how many people with jobs and kids and lives would be interested in a counter-demonstration. Like chipping in to pay for some big message in the sky:

"Go occupy the statehouse, or the offices of your elected representatives, and start pushing a single-item agenda like banking reform, or student loan debt relief. Or is Salem not cool enough for you? Or is it just that you haven't got through thinking your way out of your paper bags long enough to settle on which demand you want to give priority to?"

Something like that.

I wouldn't blame them for thinking that schlepping down to Salem won't get them anywhere. The way it's done is to raise a lot of money and hire lobbyists, which they can't do.

Hey, Jasmine knows all about Salem - she did a tree-sit outside the Capitol three years ago...

"Sometimes..."? Nah. Most times.

Gosh, it's just so darn frustrating when people don't do things your way, isn't it? You mean there's not a simple-minded, sound byte sized, cable news approved, solution to this country's problems? How could such a diverse group of people (yes Gaye, even working parents "with lives" are protesting) have such a diversity of issues with which they are concerned? Go figure.

I think it's quite humorous how OWS has gotten so many panties in a twist because they don't frame or present their message in the manner others want. They sure are bringing a lot of attention to the issues though, aren't they?

cognitive dissonance - they make a pill for that, right? or an app?

I actually have a leaflet with the full text of the Constitution. I've been through the First Amendment many times and I can't find any verbiage that compels the user of said Amendment to first get a permit, and they have stop First Amendmenting at 10 pm.

Maybe I just need a pair of tea-colored glasses. They seem to let you see whatever you want in them.

It doesn't say anything in there about time, manner and place restrictions; fighting words; or yelling "Fire" in a crowded theater, either. But we've had a couple of centuries to work all that out.

Do all of the Occupy Portland folks think everyting is swell at city hall, PDC, TriMet, Metro and the rest of the Portland version of Enron and Haliburton?

Because if they think systemic change is needed they should start with the local cabal they are being duped by.

I have a hard time lending these people any credibility or sympathy when they are either AWOL or supportive of every scam aournd here.

Amen. The protester guy holding the video camera on the arrests the other night said at one point something like "I think Sam Adams is doing a great job as mayor, but not tonight when he's letting them arrest us."

I mentioned earlier that Adams wanted to quickly appear as friend to the Occupy. (one way to keep them out of city hall and city hall matters)
In my opinion it was to divert attention that he has been part of the problem here, taking from the rest for all the pet projects to benefit a few. From what I hear, the Occupiers don't want to see this, eventually they may get it. As we know, Adams is very good at presenting one image while doing another...
He is for bikes, yet he himself drove a huge pickup truck.
He portrays he is for schools, yet his zeal for light rail takes money from the community needs and school.
He promotes our city as sustainable, yet his policy is to let Hayden Island go and he won't ask for a Waiver from a federal regulation for our good sustainable water system.
He wants others to live in uncomfortable ghetto housing density, yet he has a yard and chickens last I heard.
Others can add to the list.
A hypocrite, the Occupiers will find out how much of friend he really is. They need to read a few years of Jacks blog to find out what is really going on.

Sometimes you need to wake up and smell the coffee. Talking about systematic change when you don't even understand the game being played is asking for trouble.

The biggest bait and switch going on now is that the rich want a new tax to suck even more of your wealth away. They are using these Occupy movements to get it implemented as "systemic change"

Rock On , Jasmine !

The Limmey King and his Red Coats didn't like us either !

Always remember , any action they take against you makes
you a Martyr , and bring out bigger crowds , they hope you will tire and quit , stay strong , and remember the American People are for you !

"They sure are bringing a lot of attention to the issues though"

As soon as I can figure out what the issues are.

However, she was tight that people in power don't like change, even if needed.

Re: "the people in charge"

If there are arrests and incarcerations, judges will eventually take center stage. But "Judges Are for Sale" Yale Law School's Adam Cohen reminds us, in Time:

"The Occupy Wall Street movement is shining a spotlight on how much influence big-money interests have with the White House and Congress. But people are not talking about how big money is also increasingly getting its way with the courts, which is too bad. It's a scandal that needs more attention. A blistering new report details how big business and corporate lobbyists are pouring money into state judicial elections across the country and packing the courts with judges who put special interests ahead of the public interest."
http://news.yahoo.com/judges-sale-special-interests-buying-100500006.html

In Nashville, one judge holds fast to the First Amendment:

"The magistrate, Tom Nelson, says state officials have no authority to set a curfew requiring the protesters to clear out or face arrest."
http://news.yahoo.com/tenn-ny-locals-thwart-protesters-removal-203632931.html

Night Court judicial commissioner Nelson was appointed, not elected:
http://jis.nashville.gov/portal/page/portal/generalSessions/nightCourt/

Isn't it time to reconsider OR's predilection for electing judges, leaving the judiciary open to purchase?

Menefree, if judges were appointed wouldn't the appointer, being elected by the purchaser, still be suspect?

I think I'd rather take my chances with voter appointed judges. A few times the electorate might get it right.

The Limmey King and his Red Coats didn't like us either !

What is a limmey?