Well technically, they're right...the Snuggie is not the "blanket with sleeves" that the box says, but in reality a fleece dalmatic (the outer garment worn by many church deacons, especially in the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches, that consists of a long tunic with broad sleeves).

"Before the raid, I worked with Info West [an information booth], but now I'm a black knight," Guerra says. His cape says "OWS Black Knight Till Death" in block letters. Guerra, an artist in paint-splattered jeans, says the job of the black knights is to grab people who are being arrested and throw them behind a group of protesters so they can escape capture.

but Ithough these guys weren't breaking the law?

No tents? Challenge accepted.

liam76: "Before the raid, I worked with Info West [an information booth], but now I'm a black knight," Guerra says. His cape says "OWS Black Knight Till Death" in block letters. Guerra, an artist in paint-splattered jeans, says the job of the black knights is to grab people who are being arrested and throw them behind a group of protesters so they can escape capture.

but Ithough these guys weren't breaking the law?

? I'm not saying they are or aren't being arrested, but I'm pretty sure police can, and have in the past (not just at OWS protests) arrested people who aren't breaking the law.

It's not like handcuffs have some magical enchantment that allows them to only work on law-breakers.

ThisNameSux: [gearjunkie.com image 500x535]

No tents? Challenge accepted.

I really want to see a video of police trying to handcuff someone in one of those now, "Lou, I need a hand! Can't find his wrists!"

I refuse to believe that when the revolution comes that the revolutionaries will be wearing snuggies.

Felgraf: ? I'm not saying they are or aren't being arrested, but I'm pretty sure police can, and have in the past (not just at OWS protests) arrested people who aren't breaking the law.

People are frequently arrested and charged with "resisting arrest".

Politics makes strange...*puts on sunglasses*... bedfellows???

Link (new window)

/obligatory
//not a rickroll, surprisingly

DEAR OWS PEOPLE:

I'm not on board with most of what OWS stands for (such as the elimination of jews and the end of capitalism, freedom, and democracy), but even if there was any common sense to any of your other demands, it has been been invalidated by your lawless behavior.

If you don't break the law (which includes disobeying orders from law enforcement), you won't have to worry about being pepper sprayed, tased, beaten, or otherwise subdued by whatever lawful means the police have to handle lawbreakers. Pretty simple, really.

No one feels sorry for you. You are not winning any support. You're making asses of yourself, and the more people discuss the things you stand for, the more that people realize that you're a bunch of idiots.

/rant off

"He then runs, cape billowing behind him, to set a-flight a group of pigeons."

WTF?

I've got the larger, fat girl version. We call it the slanket. It's got little pouches in the bottom for your feet. If I leave it out, the cats knead it and suck on it. It's a lot of fun for everyone.

Robert Reich: "The REAL Public Nuisance" (new window)

Felgraf: liam76: "Before the raid, I worked with Info West [an information booth], but now I'm a black knight," Guerra says. His cape says "OWS Black Knight Till Death" in block letters. Guerra, an artist in paint-splattered jeans, says the job of the black knights is to grab people who are being arrested and throw them behind a group of protesters so they can escape capture.

but Ithough these guys weren't breaking the law?

? I'm not saying they are or aren't being arrested, but I'm pretty sure police can, and have in the past (not just at OWS protests) arrested people who aren't breaking the law.

It's not like handcuffs have some magical enchantment that allows them to only work on law-breakers.

My point is that this guy's whole "job" is to break the law.

liam76: Felgraf: liam76: "Before the raid, I worked with Info West [an information booth], but now I'm a black knight," Guerra says. His cape says "OWS Black Knight Till Death" in block letters. Guerra, an artist in paint-splattered jeans, says the job of the black knights is to grab people who are being arrested and throw them behind a group of protesters so they can escape capture.

but Ithough these guys weren't breaking the law?

? I'm not saying they are or aren't being arrested, but I'm pretty sure police can, and have in the past (not just at OWS protests) arrested people who aren't breaking the law.

It's not like handcuffs have some magical enchantment that allows them to only work on law-breakers.

My point is that this guy's whole "job" is to break the law.

It seems the same is true with this guy:

Remove Every Incumbent

*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*
1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no
pay when they are out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
Since 2008, every sitting Congressional Representatives - 100 Senate and 435 U. S. House of Representatives' personal wealth have increased 25%, sharing combined GRAND TOTAL: 2.04 BILLION DOLLARS (Kickbacks?).

TopNotched: *Congressional Reform Act of 2011*
1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no
pay when they are out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
Since 2008, every sitting Congressional Representatives - 100 Senate and 435 U. S. House of Representatives' personal wealth have increased 25%, sharing combined GRAND TOTAL: 2.04 BILLION DOLLARS (Kickbacks?).

8. Incumbent congressmen are prohibited from campaigning. We already know who they are, let their record speak for itself.

Fark Me Runnin: DEAR OWS PEOPLE:

I'm not on board with most of what OWS stands for (such as the elimination of jews and the end of capitalism, freedom, and democracy), but even if there was any common sense to any of your other demands, it has been been invalidated by your lawless behavior.

If you don't break the law (which includes disobeying orders from law enforcement), you won't have to worry about being pepper sprayed, tased, beaten, or otherwise subdued by whatever lawful means the police have to handle lawbreakers. Pretty simple, really.

No one feels sorry for you. You are not winning any support. You're making asses of yourself, and the more people discuss the things you stand for, the more that people realize that you're a bunch of idiots.

/rant off

0/10 - You're not even trying.

TopNotched: 4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

Good stuff overall.

I would replace this one with, "Congressional pay will be adjusted for inflation by using the exact same formula used to calculate adjustments to Social Security benefits."

TopNotched: *Congressional Reform Act of 2011*
1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no
pay when they are out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
Since 2008, every sitting Congressional Representatives - 100 Senate and 435 U. S. House of Representatives' personal wealth have increased 25%, sharing combined GRAND TOTAL: 2.04 BILLION DOLLARS (Kickbacks?).

And who, in Congress, is going to vote for all this? Aside from Ron Paul, perhaps. And that's a long shot.

You're not wrong that politics was never intended to be a career in this country, but now they're dug in like ticks, and won't go away without a fight. The only way to cut out the rules that are working in their favor is to bribe the shiat out of them to amend the constitution to guarantee a civilian government (so some new Congress can't just come in and change it later).

Anyone who holds elected office should be forced to liquidate all their investments prior to running. This includes interest in privately held enterprises. Hold funds in escrow (or as short-term t-bonds). Force exclusivity in service. This should be vetted, generalized, and made part of the Constitution, to prevent repeal. Same goes with pensions for federally elected officials. Get rid of them. Make the practice of continuing to pay someone after leaving office unconstitutional. The slightest of violations should be met with harsh penalty. Finally, make term limits a constitutional issue.

These changes would make career politicians practically obsolete. There would be very little compelling reason to go into office except to serve the people.

Now, this begs the question, how do we get it passed? By paying the farkers off, that's how. If the measures pass, everyone who puts out a "yes" vote, and does not run for office next term, gets an 8-figure payoff. That could amount to as much as $50 billion, but it would be well worth the cost to hit the reset button in our government.

Magorn:
You were right. I should have listened. I will do as I'm told from now on.

Crumple lots of newspaper underneath whatever you wear. As any Alaskan will tell you, layers keep you warm.

The Sofa King: Now, this begs the question, how do we get it passed?

The States have the power to amend the Constitution with no involvement from either Congress or the Executive Branch.

There are essentially two ways spelled out in the Constitution for how to propose an amendment. One has never been used.

The first method is for a bill to pass both houses of the legislature, by a two-thirds majority in each. Once the bill has passed both houses, it goes on to the states. This is the route taken by all current amendments. Because of some long outstanding amendments, such as the 27th, Congress will normally put a time limit (typically seven years) for the bill to be approved as an amendment (for example, see the 21st and 22nd).

The second method prescribed is for a Constitutional Convention to be called by two-thirds of the legislatures of the States, and for that Convention to propose one or more amendments. These amendments are then sent to the states to be approved by three-fourths of the legislatures or conventions. This route has never been taken.

.... which will come in handy in their $700 a night suites at the W Hotel.

The Dubya Hotel. (snicker)

Eatin' Queer Fetuses for Jesus: TopNotched: *Congressional Reform Act of 2011*
1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no
pay when they are out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
Since 2008, every sitting Congressional Representatives - 100 Senate and 435 U. S. House of Representatives' personal wealth have increased 25%, sharing combined GRAND TOTAL: 2.04 BILLION DOLLARS (Kickbacks?).

8. Incumbent congressmen are prohibited from campaigning. We already know who they are, let their record speak for itself.

9. No elected official (local, state, or federal) may campaign for another elected position during their current term of office. They are permitted to run for their current office only. If any elected official wishes to campaign for a new office, he/she must resign their current office before doing so.

10. No elected official (local, state, or federal) may campaign for the office of President of the United States until they have been out of office for a period of time equal to their longest single term in office, or four years, whichever is greater.

lysdexic: Fark Me Runnin:
/rant off

psst, you forgot to open the tag. Did you really mean to post a blank comment?

I actually thought of that as I submitted the comment. Oh well. I suppose one might also consider the possibility that I was already in rant mode.

DWitchiewoman: I refuse to believe that when the revolution comes that the revolutionaries will be wearing snuggies.

Wear it backwards and it becomes less snuggy and more HIPSTER CAPE! WHOA!

Fark Me Runnin: DEAR OWS PEOPLE:

I'm not on board with most of what OWS stands for (such as the elimination of jews

0/10. Most people terminate reading right there. Try being less obvious next time.

Eatin' Queer Fetuses for Jesus: 8. Incumbent congressmen are prohibited from campaigning. We already know who they are, let their record speak for itself.

I got a better idea. Everyone who wants to run gets the same amount of public money and can't raise private campaign funds, period. Third parties are not allowed to campaign in favor or against candidates on their behalf or independently. End the campaign finance pissing contest so we can actually hear from more candidates than the Democrats and Republicans.

Baloo Uriza: Eatin' Queer Fetuses for Jesus: 8. Incumbent congressmen are prohibited from campaigning. We already know who they are, let their record speak for itself.

I got a better idea. Everyone who wants to run gets the same amount of public money and can't raise private campaign funds, period. Third parties are not allowed to campaign in favor or against candidates on their behalf or independently. End the campaign finance pissing contest so we can actually hear from more candidates than the Democrats and Republicans.

True. The only way things will change is if we have 100% publicly-financed campaigns.