Occupiers Primer Chapter 1: Policy is Prologue

                         Policy is Prologue

1-1. In these modern times, demonstrations, civil unrest, public disorder, and

riots happen for a number of reasons. Some of these reasons are economic

hardships, social injustices, ethnic differences (leading to oppression),

objections to world organizations or certain governments, political grievances,

and terrorist acts. An event can be triggered by a single cause or a

combination of causes. For example, operations in the Balkans involving civil

unrest and riots were the result of ethnic hatred, a lack of civil authority, food

shortages, a revolution, and religious-based fighting factions.

1-2. Demonstrations may range from simple, nonviolent protests that address

specific issues, to events that turn into full-scale riots. Gatherings in protest

are recognized rights of any person or group, regardless of where US forces

may be operating. This fundamental right is protected under the

Constitution of the US

. During peacekeeping or peace enforcement

operations, US forces should never violate basic civil or human rights. Most

protesters are law-abiding citizens who intend that their protests be

nonviolent, but some protest planners insist that the event involve some kind

of violence. Often, in the media, protesters can gain sympathy for their cause

by prompting authorities to take physical action against them. Violence is

often the result of demonstrators beginning to conduct unlawful or criminal

acts and authorities (who are responsible for the safety and welfare of all)

enforcing the laws of the municipality, state, or nation. The depth of violence

is determined by the willingness of demonstrators to display and voice their

opinions in support of their cause.

1-3. Commanders must be aware of the possibility that some individuals or

groups within an organized demonstration may have the intent to cause

disruption, incite violence, destroy property, and provoke the authorities. The

tactical situation and actions of the crowd should dictate control and

enforcement options. Agitators and criminal infiltrators within the crowd can

lead to the eruption of violence. Inciting a crowd to violence or a greater

intensity of violence through the use of brutish enforcement tactics should be

avoided. Publicity can be detrimental to authorities and beneficial to crowds

because it can further their causes.

1-4. Community unrest results in urban conflicts that arise from highly

emotional social and economic issues. Economically deprived inner city

residents may feel that they are treated unjustly or ignored by people in power

and authority. Tensions can build quickly in a community over a variety of

issues, such as hunger, poor employment opportunities, inadequate

community services, poor housing, and labor issues. Tension in these areas

creates the potential for violence. When tensions are high, it takes a small

(seemingly minor) incident, rumor, or act of injustice to ignite groups within a

crowd to riot and act violently. This is particularly true if community relations

with authorities are part of the problem.

1-5. Significant ethnic differences in a community can create an atmosphere

of distrust, even hatred. Unrest among ethnic groups competing for jobs,

living areas, and sparse essentials can cause an eruption of civil disorder and/

or riots. As emotions run high, violence becomes likely.

1-6. Terrorist organizations may infiltrate groups within a demonstrating

crowd. These terrorist groups may intend to embarrass their government or

other governments. Terrorist infiltrators can be used to provoke crowds as a

diversion, as part of a demonstration, or as cover for terrorist acts.

Army Field Manual Civil Disturbance Operations Chapter 1 http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm3-19-15.pdf

Before I begin, I must state unambiguously that at no point short of all out war do I advocate mass murder-suicide. Suicide bombers have absolutely no place in the Occupy Movement. Those are the tactics of groups to which America has justly gone to war with in the past. We are civilians in search of a more civil society. Our tactics and strategies must reflect this. Violence and thuggery are the tools of the authorities.

The above is the first chapter Army field manual for Civil Disturbance. In case you haven't guessed by now, most local authorities do not follow Army doctrine. That Americans has the right to assemble, to freely associate, and to seek redress for grievances is, for most mayors and the local law enforcement agencies they command, an inconvenient detail which is easily trumped by concerns for public safety and sanitation. Protesters are being beaten with nightsticks or batons and pepper sprayed and bloodied for the sake of their own safety. Rich.  

I am not directed involved in any Occupy Movement organization, save on Twitter. I cannot speak for any. I just try to shout helpful stuff from the sidelines. But I have been watching this drama for decades and have been tearing my hair out over issues which are key to what the whole Occupy Movement turns on. At play in the ferment is over 30  years of failed economic and social policy whose originals in the Reagan Administration may well be older than most of the Occupiers. The role that Newt Gingrich played in the Clinton Administration may well have been lost to the dusty memories of childhood before political awareness even reared its head.

I have no degrees, but when I took college classes, I often would ruin the grading curves on tests for the whole class. I have studied what I tell you more than I have for any test I took in class. I do not, however, claim to be infallible. I invite everyone to study the issues I tackle. I provide corroborating information when I can. And while I recognize that Wikipedia may not be the most reliable source, it is a good place to start.


The very worst thing that can happen is that, the Occupy Movement have its teeth pulled by a few ineffectual sops from the wealthy and the powerful which then die the deaths of a thousand filibusters by Republicans in the Senate.

I will tell you now and for nothing that the biggest evil our nation faces is the corruption of money in politics. It is codified in Citizens United which legalizes money laundering in political campaigns; it is in the presidential candidacy of the Koch bros marionette Herman Cain who had no campaign staff outside of what the Kochs provided. Likewise the disastrous governorship of Scott Walker of Wisconsin who's union stripping measures are being repealed and he himself is in the process of being recalled. It is in Virginia Thomas' heading of a Tea Party group who acts as the money man for her husband Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
What this nation absolutely cannot afford is another Republican regime of tax cuts and another foreign war, which both Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney promise to bring us. It will be the death of us if it happens. No lie.
Thank you .
And welcome to Pepper Spray Nation