Tale of a Southern 'Occupy': Nashville aims to bridge political divides

[xchrom]

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/30/9097482-tale-of-a-southern-occupy-nashville-aims-to-bridge-political-divides

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Compared to “Occupy” protests on the coasts, the rebel encampment tucked between Tennessee’s War Memorial Plaza and the Statehouse – a few dozen tents adorned with American flags and even a libertarian one – has a decidedly Southern feel.

While protesters in New York, California and elsewhere may often pass their downtime playing drums, meditating or knitting, their Tennessee counterparts could be playing football, hosting a square dance, flying kites, skateboarding or welcoming opponents with cookies.

And if conversations on the coasts tend toward left-wing political theory, such as anarchy, Marxism and socialism, protesters here work on bridging a different divide: uniting the “blue” and “red” factions in their local audience.

"We do have a lot of conservative voices in this camp and the thing that is really appealing to all of us is we believe in the common ties that bind us,” said Samantha Blanchard, a 30-year-old office administrator who was sheltering in a tent as rain poured down on a frosty, grey Sunday afternoon.



***certainly not what i would want -- but this is their occupy.

[PETRUS]

1. "getting money out of politics"

That's one of this encampment's three stated goals. Economic power is economic power - it's never been separate from political power anywhere, ever. What we need to do is seek policies that distribute it more broadly.

[Uncle Joe]

2. Kicked and recommended.

Three goals

Despite the range of political beliefs represented in the camp – and Nashville’s reputation as a liberal bastion in the state -- the protesters have winnowed their “goals” down to three, which are printed on a blue index card and handed out to visitors. They are: ending corporate personhood, getting money out of politics and supporting Occupy Wall Street.

(snip)

The Vanderbilt College Republicans organized a protest at the camp on Nov. 3 – which the occupiers said they welcomed with cookies and open dialogue.

(snip)

“I feel like in a lot of ways … Nashville is starting to become maybe a bit of a tender spot or a hearthstone for other occupiers,” she added. “We’re like the little heartbeat, the little southern hospitality of the movement.”

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/30/9097482-tale-of-a-southern-occupy-nashville-aims-to-bridge-political-divides

Thanks for the thread, xchrom.

[xchrom]

3. thanks for adding that in. nt

[Withywindle]

4. I think it's great.

Playing bipartisanship won't work in Congress, but among working people who have no power to abuse? It's necessary in red areas, it really is. Being alienated from neighbors isn't good for anyone, and "divide and conquer" serves the 1% best, not us.

OF course it's not always possible. But I respect the effort.

[Huey P. Long]

5. occupy -eom