Henry Rollins: The Column! Occupy America

As someone not following too closely, and not politically savvy (by choice), I see the protestors the way many on the right do: "society's lowest common denominator".  But, why?  Because they're the ones without jobs, who have the time to be there, because so many more of them have been created by this economical mess our politicians and corporate masters have gotten us into.  And more are being created every day.  I hear, "Don't get in my way as I'm going to MY job, don't inconvenience people!"  Well, how else do you get seen, get a point across?  Sit at home (if you have one anymore) and 'protest' from a comfy chair?  But, I do think they need to get the act tightened up...police themselves, clean up after themselves.  Don't accept all comers, because the anarchist punks and drug addicts are not helping your cause, only harming it.  They are NOT a product of this mess.  Most of the anarchists, at least in Seattle, are middle-class idiots whose lives are subsidized by mummy and daddy, and they wear the bandanas over the face so they don't get recognized by said parents who might cut them off.  The cops are part of the 99%, but they're working for the 1%, but, use them anyway.  Get rid of those who are doing harm.  Haven't heard any more about Jennifer Fox, who claims the cops kicked her in the gut and pepper sprayed her (the latter confirmed), causing her to miscarry.  If she lied, this is another black eye to the movement.  To be taken seriously, you have to act responsibly, and in so many cases, I do not see them doing that!

Amen!

at first they will laugh at you - then they will ridacule you - then they will try to provoke you into a fight don't respond to it stay peaceful and in the end you will win

Not word for word but props to Gandi - stay in there Occupy

Tell them brother. I used to like PJ O'Rourke a bit, but recent appearances have swayed me, last week's Real Time was the nail in the coffin.

Delusional

thank you for not shooting yourself in the foot and disappointing me.

keep it real, henry.

I think you should stick to playing AJ Weston; otherwise, you’re ill informed. 

Henry, You are the first person I've seen to recognize the movement for what it is and treat the participants with respect and understanding. I live in VA and I feel like everyone here outside the 22-30 age bracket is automatically dismissive of the Occupiers. You brought a lot of valid points to the table. I'll be referring a lot of people to this article. Thanks for keeping it real.

An armed militia was at an occupy protest recently:http://www.infowars.com/occupy...

Don't take your "punk rock" legends verbatim, they are human too.

Come to NY Henry, you'll how fucking pointless this is.  The endless drumming and pissing in the streets is the answer to all our problems!  I'm there every day.  I saw the famrers market close in the Park, I see the flavor of the day protest.  No ffense but how do you exect to be taken seriously shaking your bare tits at the cameras while screaming about financial inequality?  And talk about bullshit, you roll out the same old crap - Fox news!  Tea Party!  - give me a solution oh wise sage.  Give me a platform or legislative answer to the problem.    Occupy Zuccotti Park is a bunch of middle class white kids who feel guilty because they were born into a life of relative privilege.  As if we need some answer to Tea Party jack offs.  And to be fair, they had some good ideas but people like you won't bother to reach across the aisle, thats the fucking problem.  So instead you'll run to the polls and blindly pull the lever for YOUR party - why does that make you any different than the right wing zealot?

As a chilean citizen whose country is undergoing a mass cultural protest for free education, i feel very identified with this group..and as a black flag fan, great article Henry. Very informative..its these types of social movememts which give me hope that the future will improve...god bless the occupy wall street movement

"Thomas Jefferson has momentarily stopped spinning in his grave"I absolutely love it!My eyes see the coming RevolutionMy eyes see the Glory of the world...

Bravo Henry, eloquent and to the point, please keep it up.

Note to all: Those in NYC and the rest of the East Coast are suffering from the recent snow storm; their heaters and electric generators were confiscated days ago. They are requesting donations of cold weather camping  gear and warm clothing. Others confronted with the cold and snow also nned help.  There is a mailing address for the NY group, for donations from people / groups from out of town

OCCUPY FOX NEWS HEADQUARTERS1211 Avenue Of The AmericasNYC NY

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1211 Avenue of the Americas

1211 Avenue of the Americas (view from the east)

Former namesCelanese Building

News Corp. Building

General information

TypeOffices and television studios (Fox News Channel)

LocationMidtown Manhattan,

New York City, New York

United States

Coordinates40°45′30″N 73°58′55″W / 40.758464°N 73.981806°W / 40.758464; -73.981806Coordinates: 40°45′30″N 73°58′55″W / 40.758464°N 73.981806°W / 40.758464; -73.981806

Completed1973

Height

Roof592 ft (180.44 m)

Technical details

Floor count45

Floor area1.9 million square feet (180×10^3 m2)

Design and construction

Owner1211 6th Avenue Property Owner, L. L. C.

Main contractorCelanese Corporation and Rockefeller Center, Inc.

ArchitectWallace Harrison (Harrison, Abramovitz & Harris)

DeveloperRockefeller Group Development Corporation

References

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1211 Avenue of the Americas (also known as the News Corp. Building) 

SUGGESTION: uniformed  firefighters and Military vets stood with Wisconsin, which was basically the first unofficial "Occupation" Make calls to local firehouses and VFW Posts: get the same  people  in UNIFORM or fire fighting gear (turnouts) to stand with Occupy groups, at the periphery of the group, Police will NOT fire on/assault vets or firefighters in uniform, trust me on this one. ..

A glimpse of Henry's former insight read something like, "...what's brutal about honesty?  You want to really be brutal to someone, lie to them."  What happened to this sort of elegant observation?Every contrast Henry makes between the Occupiers and the Tea Party in this screed is an inversion.  The Tea Party did not have hundreds of their demonstrators arrested as does OWS.  The threat of violence was from the anti-Tea Party crowd who sympathize with OWS.  The media and president actively vilified the Tea Party as much as they now fail to do so with OWS.   Also, the manifesto of OWS  contains some accurate generalities about problems that could actually be addressed if the protesters were sophisticated enough to recognize some of the specifics articulated in the Tea Party platform to combat said problems.  I suppose the emphasis on individual autonomy is too much for the communists.  I'm surprised that Henry takes exception to that sort of principle.  But Mr. Voice of General Motors, part time actor/Hollywood type/world traveler doesn't seem to have a huge problem with making money in the capitalist entertainment industry either.  The Orwellian doublethink is palpable in OWS as well as Henry's sad little exercise in contradiction and obfuscation.  The government is the agent of corporate interests Henry.  It will not set you free nor care for you or your OWS brethren, nor will it protect your civil liberties.  That was the purpose of The Constitution from which we've gone so far afield; to limit the power of the government.  If  you prefer communism or anarchy to this founding document, it's time to spell out why that is the case.  When did you trade truth for sloganeering, individualism for sheepdom, and freedom of speech and expression for the ultimate abdication of individuality and truth;  political correctness? 

Wow, this article sparked quite a discussion.  I liked it.  Obviously there are those that are passionate one way or the other, some in the middle, and some like me, in a constant state of confusion.  I think the article and the comments have helped me learn more and get a feel for what those that are passionate about the issue are trying to get across and to also get an understanding as to why others don't support the movement.  For me it is important to try and understand where various sides are coming from to try and better understand the whole thing in the first place.  I'm still confused but more informed a bit.  

The only part of trickle down economics we're actually seeing is the "trick".

The ongoing mischaracterization and superficial over generalizing by smug naysayers will probably continue non-stop. But as more and more sane people come to their senses, they'll begin to realize the value of what's going on in the streets. And the legions of Rovian-led disciples will dwindle. As such, the devout right-wingnuts who keep believing in the grand trickle down charade will naturally become more rabid by the day. So be it. 

Sorry, Henry, you lost me at "Manifesto".

What's the difference between Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party?  Tea Party members actually have jobs, pay taxes, and, you know, contribute to society, whereas the other group just cries about how unfair the world is.

i can totally dig it.. .i only wish i could get any time off from my job, or had enough disposable income to go and protest the rich

Would you back or defend a person or group of people who believe men are superior to women? Would you back or defend a person or group of people who feel homosexuality is an act punishable by death? Would you defend those who justify stoning of women who commit adultery? How about the elimination of an entire race of people? Interesting that the American nazi party and the American Communist party back the occupy wall street rallys. Here's an idea--all you rich celebrity assholes knocking capitalism share you money with the people at the rally, divide it up the best you can for the masses and keep a little for yourself--thats communism, socialism. Until then jump back in your limos you bunch of Hippocrates

I think your flowery littany of these defecating/urinating protesters is a true bag of shit.....who has constantly told you no you can't....conservitives, or liberals.....who are Nazi's? Nazi's are a socialist movement. Think before you speak, or Glen, and I may not be there to help you when they turn on you. Think, I love you, and your music, but much like Michale Graves, I am a conservative punker!

I'm a conservative at heart, but I can't deny the numbers that this movement has dredged up - the poor in this country are going nowhere and the richer and getting richer.  

What a crock of shit. The clueless masses gathering to protest wall street while backing Obama --the very man who bailed those scum out with billions. Not to mention the oh so well informed protesters speaking the ills of Capitolism with the newest IPhone stuck in there ear. I too believe wall street should have suffered the consequences of there greed but Oboma didn't let his buddy's, his fund raisers go down. It's absurd to occupy wall street, occupy Pennsylvania Ave. Cmon people, the King has no cloths on. Ssssssssshhhhhh

but they are communists at OWS...it is an anarchist experiment. anarchy is a lil more evolved than chaos in the streets. they actually have ideas about governance, however idealistic and impractical they might might be.

I'm a political junkie- and an avid reader, and if I could have put in words my feelings about what is going on with the "Occupy" movement (as well as the defunct tea bagger movement), this is exactly what I would have written.   And the last three paragraphs are word for word on the mark, they summarize the future of the Occupy movement and should be encouraging for those who feel uncertain that it will effect change and that it will last.  It will in both cases.

Another great post. Thank you for existing.

Not bad, but the presence of legally carried and unused guns does not signify violence of any movement. Furthermore, while characterizing OWS as truly organic, it may be worthwhile to follow trace the movement to its roots and follow the money trails to those already trying to profiteer off the movement. It starts with a Canadian "anarchist" movement, and one of the money trails ends in China. But I've read the manifesto, and that's reason enough to question OWS- it reads like it was put togetether by an assembly that doesn't know what life is like for the real 99%. Putting an end to tax deductions and exemptions will hurt the middle class. Or are we putting an end only to the "unfair" ones? Who is some assembly in New York to decide what's unfair to a real middle class homeowner in some completely different part of the country? And how many in OWS recognize that universal health insurance is not universal health care?

 I've paid for my own unwise decisions. I've made some smart decisions like cutting up my credit cards, recognizing the risks of subprime loans and settling for a smaller fixed-rate mortgage when buying my home, and avoiding student loans. I get help with my continuing education by serving my community. I don't expect anything without a catch. I work two jobs, pay my taxes, and don't want anything I haven't rightfully earned.  I don't camp where it's unsafe. I don't unlawfully obstruct traffic. I don't blame the Jews (as OWS protestors have) or Obama (as the TEA Party has) for my own lot in life. I don't demonize the police. I don't trust any special interest groups, whether they represent corporations or unions. I may or may not be "the 99%," but I know what I am- completely alienated. 

"... when [O'Rourke]  characterized the protesters as clueless bongo-drum enthusiasts."Seems like a pretty accurate description to me.

no one is "ignoring" these tools, jesus. people defending these guys have a persecution complex where none exists -- they have gotten extremely sympathetic coverage in most media.

when you spout goofy, typical liberal-arts student rhetoric about how evil capitalism is -- you're gonna get made fun of. that doesn't mean that the financial sector in this country is pure-hearted and should never be criticized but come on now.

and honestly the criticism from my view is more "lol at these guys" than anything serious. you guys had fun mocking the "Teabaggers" so let the Right have it's fun now mmmk.

that "hack" PJ O'Rourke had it right writing about the grating moral earnestness of the hardcore Left in this country. hasn't changed since the '80s.

Well, Henry Rollins appears as full of himself as ever. Certainly no less than he did when he went to a "hipster cafe" to mindlessly verbally assault the hipsters as "poseurs" in language that sounded exactly like the elitism of the hipsters themselves. Yes, Jefferson has momentarily stopped spinning in his grave, but not for the reasons Mr. Rollins implies. Jefferson, despite his strong words supporting justice and the freedom for men to determine their own lives by their own ingenuity and hard work, was never a man whose actions matched his high sentiments. He would be perhaps thrilled to see so many unworking youthful drones gathering merely to complain without doing the hard personal work necessary to change, first, their own lives, and then, slowly, the world around them. It would validate his own lack of principle (he was a slave-owner, yes, but unlike Washington, and despite all his high rhetoric which he apparently did not believe enough to act on it, he did not even free his slaves at his death, partly because he managed his vast sums of money so poorly during his life that he needed to use some of his slaves to pay off his debts, and partly because it just didn't matter enough to him. He is hardly someone to idolize, or even admire...) to see a president panderingly attempt to co-opt the democratic-sounding energy of such an incoherent, whiny group with little meaningful beliefs. 

Yes, corporations are not individuals (no institution or group is, only an individual is an individual) and shouldn't be considered as such, but like all of the Occupy movement's seemingly reasonable points, it loses credibility because of the other issues pushed by the movement which contradict the intention of such noble sentiment, and by the meaningful issues conveniently left untouched despite their importance. It is a diverse group, and there is no shortage of valid complaints there, and even more equally inappropriate and oppressive proposed solutions, but its members are united mainly by a need to feel important and hear themselves shout. 

Yes, the bailouts were unjust and uncalled-for, but not because corporations are always inherently evil and need only more and more regulation and governmental interference. The government shouldn't be in the business of picking winners and losers. The problem was not as much lack of regulation, but active conspiring by those in the government with corporate interests, often by unjust overregulation, which uncompetitively benefited the big-money corporate friends of governmental power-players who were then able to line their own pockets, to the detriment of a few corporate and business interests who were not as big and only tried to play by the rules. How many coherent policy changes has the Occupy movement come forward with, let alone actually agreed upon, except apparently that "greed is bad," and "THEY're out to get you," although no one can seem to agree upon who "THEY" are?

The tea party was weakened into a tool of manipulative political hacks by artificial ingredients, yes, but despite it's rambling diverse origins, there were (once) a few coherent issues which united the diverse groups. Government was too big, the individual should have more freedom from governmental interference, taxes were stifling the individual and small businesses, cutting spending drastically was necessary, and individuals are far better able than the government to make decisions for themselves regarding health care, personal finances, etc. Whether and how much one agrees with these beliefs, the Tea Party once was more-or-less united by these principles, despite some of it's more unsavory elements. The ridiculous and intolerant images were not uncommon, but hardly universal. It has since been twisted by vain personalities and manipulative, power-hungry, unprincipled GOP bigwigs to defy each of those issues. Despite Mr. Rollins unfounded faith in the Occupy movement, it lacks any such coherent beliefs. Despite presidential statements indicating otherwise, it is far from being, either as nobly-motivated, or as united in core principles, as the civil rights movement of the 50's and 60's was. Some (many) elements believe in more government, some believe in less. Some are more focused on individual rights, some are more focused on state-ensured equality and justice. Some have their sights set on the evils of corporations, some on the excesses of government.

Some commenters recognize the truth of a complex world: "who determines what is fair?" Some, like the honest Ms. Vasquez, acknowledge their own ignorance of the issues, who's so evil, and who's so right. Such tempering honesty in complex situations which NO ONE understands fully, like governmental and corporate roles in society, is a key ingredient to eventually creating lasting positive change. Some, as always, only get caught up in revolutionary zeal. The "energy of the movement," and assigning blame, is to them more important than actually promoting and inspiring real change. Such are the types that turned nearly every people's revolution from an effort toward practical equality into a bloodbath. The frenetic, emotion-charged zeal of Mr. Rollins' rant is on this side of the coin. Hopefully some will arise with principles, and that ever-so-rare quality of patience, and as the embers of the chaotic Occupy movement subside, proceed forward without need for mass visibility and attention, to work hard and make real, lasting change. I have no faith that Mr. Rollins will be among them.

Oh, Mr. Rollins...It's impossible not to love you.  So glad you stand with us.

If you thought the smackdown on O'Rourke was hilarious....Find Chris Hedges on YouTube, the CNBC interview with Kevin O'Leary. The negative reaction from the media is a fucking joke.  Nothing more, and often even less.

Yep, this is turning into a massive and publicly stated withdrawal of consent to be governed by these thieving incompetents.

My only comment is that Thomas Jefferson was an elitist. It is John Adams that is spinning. Other than that, Hank, you are right on!

I love that the OWS movement is drawing bullshit responses from clueless politicians. You know, when you drag bullshit out into the sunlight, it smells worse for awhile, then it dries up. Then you can burn it. The National Atheist Party supports OWS, and any movement FOR rationality and common sense. Check us out: www.usanap.org

 I'm a student of history and always look to the past to decipher what's really happening.Both Glen Beck and Henry Rollins have it wrong. Glen Beck stated, in so many works, that this is a socialist revolution that will overthrow America. Henry believes there is some staying power in this and that it has the possibility of "changing" something, or raising awareness in the least. Sadly, both are wrong. Every truly earth-shattering revolution of the past, as history has shown time and again, has contained one crucial element that the Occupy Wall Street movement is lacking and has no hope of attaining: significant middle class involvement. Unless this movement gets that, it's just another collegiate protest that will wither and die like so many have in the past. Sorry, guys, but history never lies and always repeats.

Here is a link to OWS Plan of Action: http://99getsmart.com/?p=327

 I have always felt that there are so many amazing words that could be used to describe Henry Rollins, but right now I have only one circling through my mind...INFORMED!!! He, as usual, doesn't beat around the bush. He tells it like it really is. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone did that? Countless people all over the world still want to listen to what he has to say, he brings us the truth! There are also hundreds of other  reasons why Henry is still around after all these years, but I know one for sure...WE NEED HIM !!!

I believe the protests are here to stay once the snow starts falling....

Spot on, Buddy!  Accurate blogging at its best!

Brilliantly said Henry.  Thank you. I'm sharing this post with some of the naysayers who've been dissing the OWS protests. Here's a link to a blog I just posted on the OWS and the involvement of the young people/students and the global implications...students in Chile have been protesting for the past 5 mos. http://academicexchange.wordpr...

The more articles on this, the harder it is to ignore. Thanks, Henry, for giving your two cents. I was disgusted to see how the Tea Party became a savvy ploy to discredit critics with valid points by linking them to radical anti-gov't types. All those confused Republicans who were questioning their party's claim as capitalist crusaders could have been picked up by Democrats. Together, they might have destroyed the myth that governs our country: that Republicans are capitalists and Democrats are socialists.  

The Democratic party, still trying to be Republicans-lite, totally dropped the ball. They are too afraid of being labeled socialists (and yet no one questions if R's are capitalists.) What they should do is de-mystify the word. For example:  if you have a library card, you might be a socialist, etc. Or point out the hypocrisy of supporting welfare for businesses but not for people. How about a look at the ROI; how many jobs and what kind have been created vs how many people were able to avoid abandoning their houses? Or the giant shell game that is the Republican economy and how the taxpayer cushion allows them to practice moral hazard?

Just a few ideas from a frustrated observer.

Preach it brother. I used to like PJ O'Rourke a bit, but recent appearances have swayed me, last week's Real Time was the nail in the coffin.