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Original poster

On the positive side, huuuge support for the Occupy London Stock Exchange protest

125 replies

breadandbutterfly · 17/10/2011 22:58

Cast your vote too if you wish, or just revel in being, if not 1 of the 99%, at least currently 1 of the 87.5%. :)

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/poll/2011/oct/17/occupy-london-poll

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goodasgold · 23/10/2011 23:01

Breadandbutterfly I'm sure that your dd is very smart but has she worked in a bank for the last seven years? To criticize all bank workers? Has she got that from you? I wanted to hear what the bank bashers are actually saying is wrong with the way that business was done over the last decade, there is a point with Lehman Bros, but most bankers are not Lehman Bros traders, and we shouldn't lump them all together.

claig · 23/10/2011 23:04

'You seem a big fan of the Tea Party. Am I right here? Do you believe they will change things for the better?'

I am a fan of ordinary people, not elites and their puppets.
The Tea Party did spring from ordinary people who are also against elites and bank bailouts and puppets. But the elite has taken control of the Tea Party, so it is now just another puppet in the game of divide and rule. They cannot do anything.

Some of the charities and causes you believe in may in fact be fronts for the elites. Maybe they have tricked you into believing some things that are against your real interests.

newwave · 23/10/2011 23:06

breadandbutterfly

Not an argument as such, that needs two or more people although in claigs case maybe she needs only one.

She reminds me of a religous nutter who used to stand in Ilford spouting religious crap to all and sundry yet when taken to task would only reply to any question that god would punish you.

claig · 23/10/2011 23:08

goodasgold, I agree with you. It's got nothing to do with employees in banks.
This is way above their heads. It's about power and politics and finance is just a tool that is used. it is one of the cards in the game.

claig · 23/10/2011 23:09

'She reminds me of a religous nutter who used to stand in Ilford spouting religious crap to all and sundry yet when taken to task would only reply to any question that god would punish you.'

You should have listened to her.

newwave · 23/10/2011 23:10

claig, anyone with half a brain understands that we are talking about the bonus grabbing scum at the top or very near the top and not those in the high street banks behind the tills and similiar jobs.

newwave · 23/10/2011 23:13

You should have listened to her.

Claig you are, I trust aware that god in any form does not actually exist.

If you believe otherwise please show me or direct me towards the proof.

claig · 23/10/2011 23:15

No, newwave, I agree with goodasgold. There are no "scum" grabbing bonuses. They are all just employees. Investment bank employees are just employees who joined an investment bank. They are not the system, they are only cogs in the wheel. Calling oridnary people "scum" is not a very charitable, Christian thing to do. You could have learnt a lot from that good religious woman (not a nutter) in Ilford. Don't look down on others and think you are superior, or you will resemble those that you call "scum".

claig · 23/10/2011 23:17

'If you believe otherwise please show me or direct me towards the proof.'

Can't you work it out for yourself? Do you constantly need showing? Have you not eyes to see and a mind to think?

toutlemonde · 23/10/2011 23:23

"On the positive side, huuuge support for the Occupy London Stock Exchange protest" - yes absolutely. Apologies that I cannot be arsed to read the convoluted sidetrack that this thread looks like it has become... But total support to Occupy LSX

newwave · 23/10/2011 23:23

Can't you work it out for yourself? Do you constantly need showing? Have you not eyes to see and a mind to think?

Yes I can but the alternative view is always welcome even if I dont agree with it, those like me with an open mind can always change their minds given a good reason to.

As for who is or is not scum just go to the City wine bars at bonus time to hear the braying hooray Henrys and then you will see the scum in all it's glory.

goodasgold · 23/10/2011 23:24

Claig I can see you are a good Christian woman. With that you should understand that a lot of people can share your morals without your religion.

I would just say don't lump bankers together, for the poor people on hardly over minimum wage you can make them really upset. But The Directors don't give a shit.

claig · 23/10/2011 23:29

breadandbuttefly, I think my statement is much too cynical
"I don't think ordinary people can do much about anything."

People can do things. That's how slavery was abolished, civil rights were won and women gained the vote. We can all fight for justice and equality and support good politicians who tell teh truth and have the interests of eth public at heart. In the end, I believe that good always wins, because I believe in God. I believe that humanity will win through in the end and things can only get better (but not as in Labour's theme tune). I think education is vital because it enables people to wake up and understand the world around them and helps them to morally combat injustice.

claig · 23/10/2011 23:31

goodasgold, I agree with everything you said.
I don't think the directors are at fault either. I think it is the system, not the people.

glasnost · 24/10/2011 15:23

Great to see claig has ground some beans and now acknowledges teh inherent iniquity of capitalismmmmmmmmmmmm. I'm so glad.

I always knew you were a good'un.

smallwhitecat · 24/10/2011 19:15

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Original poster
breadandbutterfly · 24/10/2011 19:31

wow, claig, you too could be me, some of the stuff you've recently posted. You and newwave - how nice to find that the things which unite us may be stronger than that which divides us, once you scratch beneath the surface a bit. :)

goodasgold - I did not mean to offend re bankers. Two of my kids' godparents are bankers - one is a low-paid, hard-up retail banking clerk, one a v v rich investment banker. Both are family friends. The investment banker is a nice enough guy though amoral rather than immoral when it comes to thinking about what he does (which he does very little of, he's more interested in the wheeling and dealing and figures). I don't think he personally means to bugger up the financial system; he currently can't quite believe his luck (he did think the shit had hit the fan in 2008, so is just enjoying the ride as long as it lasts now). But no, not personally responsible or bad, just taking advantage of what is rather being handed to him on a plate now.

Does not mean the system isn't screwed though - he knows that as well as anyone.

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smallwhitecat · 24/10/2011 19:34

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Original poster
breadandbutterfly · 24/10/2011 19:44

Bollocks, SWC, sorry. It would be a rather funny world if I hadn't met my son's godfather. He is a top investment banker and is paid shitloads, for doing things like taking clients to fancy restaurants and strip clubs. you could call that working long hours I suppose. Hmm

I'd guess in terms of real work, my other friend the retail banker puts in pretty much identical hours, actually.

Possibly investment bankers lower down the food chain put in longer hours, I don't know. Higher up, they don't.

Should also add that this guy is not especially, uniquely bright - he's pretty good at maths, but got a 2:1 in a numerate discipline, same as the other banker. So hardly genius level. He's quite personable and has a good eye for making money, and is primarily motiovated by money. But there is no logical reason whatsoever why he should make more in a year than the other banker may make in a lifetime, none at all.

The system is completely screwed.

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crazynannawitchbitch · 24/10/2011 22:07

I too thing claigy's on the turn..in a good way of course Smile
Welcome to the dark side,Comrade Wink

crazynannawitchbitch · 24/10/2011 22:08

That is obviously think,not thing. Claig is not a thing. Grin

claig · 25/10/2011 01:40

To turn, or not to turn: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous New Labour,
Or follow The Thatch's behaviour
Be also "not for turning"
And do yourself a favour

OTheHugeWerewolef · 25/10/2011 12:48

88% of Guardian readers agree with the Occupy LSX protesters!

Amazing. I never would have guessed Grin

However, the hypocrisy involved in painting this group as representative of the oppressed and downtrodden masses can be seen from a quick scan of the Guardian's own description of its readership.

As you were Smile

glasnost · 25/10/2011 13:35

"I too thing claigy's on the turn..in a good way of course
Welcome to the dark side,Comrade"

crazynanna the left is bathed in light and illuminated with goodwill and humanity.........if you're talking dark check out the rightwing contingent on here. Thet certainly have "something of the night" about them. And I don't even expect them to get the reference.

Isn't swc the rudest MNter? And that in the face of stiff competition.

Original poster
breadandbutterfly · 25/10/2011 14:55

OTheHugeWerewolef - well, I am one of those readers and I can assure you I have never once been asked how much I earn, how many holidays I take or any of the other detailed 'facts' they like to claim to potential advertisers are true of their audience.

On the other hand, if that description of their readers is true, and even the typical relatively 'well-off' Guardian reader is feeling part of the 'squeezed middle' and supports the protests, what potentially does that tell you about quite how deep the support is?

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