You know it had to happen.
What better place could there be for the great unwashed to protest? Gotta love the dead green tree growing out of the Earth. Here’s their message:
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#OccupyCop17: Climate Justice General Assembly
Governments of the world are, for the 17th time, assembling to discuss how we react on an international scale to a changing climate. During these last 16 years a sane response to an unsustainable global culture has not been found.
Inside their assembly and inside their declarations the needs of the 99% are not being heard. Private corporations are occupying our seats in the UN climate talks and governments corrupted by corporate influence are claiming to represent our needs.They are abusing and pillaging the consensus process, once put in place to ensure even the smallest and most vulnerable had a say.
We, as a planet, have been shown we can no longer rely on the same structures that have allowed for famines, floods, hurricanes and massacres to escalate relentlessly. There is a historic responsibility, and a global necessity for action.
Here in Durban, where Nelson Mandela cast his first vote and Gandhi held his first public meeting, we’re putting out an invitation to anyone who wishes to have their voice heard: to join a dialogue of how we must react to ensure the present culture of 1% of the worlds population does no injustice to the future of the 99%.
On Monday, November 28th at 11am, as representative from 192 nation-states begin their talks, we will also meet.
This a humble invitation for all, to come and engage in an open and peaceful General Assembly around the theme of climate justice.
In the spirit of general assembly’s from around the world we will talk, we will listen, we will learn, and we will respect each other through our process.
This is what democracy looks like.
It is time our voices were heard.
It’s time to #OccupyCop17
General Assembly
11am Monday 28th November
Speakers Corner
Walnut Rd/Bram Fischer Rd
Durban, South Africa
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I like this idea, in fact I think all “occupy” folks should immediately go to Durban, occupy the place, and stay there as long as it takes.
16 failures to achieve anything but setting the date for the next party.
First rule of the political junket.
“We, as a planet……….” ??????????? Anyway who elected these, no doubt well meaning, folk to represent the 99%?
Such ignorance.
They use the royal “we” as if they speak for the “planet.” They speak for themselves only.
I love how they drop names: Mandela & Ghandi. Ghandi?? Oh never mind. The usual rhetorical method, attach great significance to one’s actions by recalling the great heroes of some other movement. Let’s come from far and wide to occupy. I wonder what the RSA has to say about them as they flood into border checkpoints? Methinks a visa is required. There will be a Starbucks available if they get in.
I don’t know about this guy, but I’m not a planet. Not even a moon.
/Dave Johnson says “Who elected these …..folk to represent the 99%?” The an swer is no one elected them, just as no one elected our own foreparents who protested injustice in France and Britain and in the US (think Tea Party). There just comes a time where folks realize that decisions are getting made which do NOT reflect the interests of the majority of people. Masses of people are now becoming aware that if we stay on a “business-as-usual” path, we will collectively fail.
Dave Johnson and others may disagree with this position, but it is the right of majorities (or minorities for that matter) to assert their views in a peaceful manner.
Gee, Hugh, you broke your silence on the oddest of memes. Aren’t you the paragon of loftiness.
Perhaps someone should suggest to the occupiers that occupying equatorial rain forests to prevent deforestation might do more to advance the green agenda than talking and listening in Durban.
problem is how long will it remain peaceful HUGH…. we have watched the continuing scenarios on the TV showing bashings pepper spraying etc to these so called peaceful protestors. DURBAN needs to hear the dissenting voices of scientists who understand climate change, sadly not the murmurings of uneducated protestors. I forsee real trouble here as the police and UN? do battle with these peacefull 99%
You can tell the ‘Occupiers’ don’t represent 99% of the population because they claim so loudly that they do; if they really did then no-one would have to tell us.
In reality they seem to be the usual ‘1%’ of unrepentant Marxists and a few ‘useful idiots’ who they can send out to get pepper-sprayed and arrested. Their incoherent demands mostly seem to come down to ‘increase the power of government so they can steal more money from those people and give it to me’, which is precisely the kind of behaviour that pushed the world into this mess.
As such I truly hope they do all go to Durban… and never come back.
Assuming that they are walking, jogging, swimming or bicycling, I don’t think they’re going to get there in time.
They obviously didn’t read the email from Dupont about them.
From a report in the Vancouver Sun-
‘On Friday, South Africa’s police minister said his country would deploy 2,500 officers to the UN climate talks starting this week.
“Police will not tolerate criminal acts that are disguised as demonstrations, which in some cases include destruction of property and intimidations,” said Nathi Mthethwa.
The government has given the nod to a civil society march next Saturday, but the minister made no mention of the Occupy event.’
I wouldn’t advise annoying the S African police….
And it is our right to peacefully ridicule their pompous naivete.
Hughpepper spray? Oh…I misread that.
It’s a bit ironic, but the Occupy Durban people are at least half right: the hall will be filled with representatives from interlocking elites working for their own agendas. The Occipiers have been co-opted by one faction of the elites. Once they’ve served their purpose, they’ll meet the same fate as the Old Bolshiveks.
“They are abusing and pillaging the consensus process, once put in place to ensure even the smallest and most vulnerable had a say.”
I didn’t realize that consensus was part of the scientific process. Durban is a discussion on science isn’t it? No? Then it is a discussion on how to impose the will of governments on the people without having to bother getting the consent of the governed.
This is so stupid I don’t know what to say, except boohwwwhhhhhahhhhahhhhahahaha! Maybe they will be visited by the [SNIP: sorry, Robb, but that just might be taken the wrong way… out of context, as it were… -REP], just saying.
You might see a few Hollywood and leftie types, and an assortment of the usual rock and hip hop stars showing up to get some face time. But that’s about it.
Not to mention their enablers at Greenpeace:
http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/11/25/global-warming-sham
“The annual convention of global warm-mongers gets underway at the resort city of Durban, South Africa.”
The belief in global warming does not represent the 99% of us. That part is true.
Yep. You go for it guys. I think you’ll soon find the South African police will handle it rather differently than the US and UK.
NO JUSTICE – NO CLIMATE!!!
I wonder what the jails in Durban are like; 1-1/2 Stars? 1/2 Star? No Stars at all?
What the heck is Climate Justice?
@ H.R. says:
November 27, 2011 at 2:38 pm
I wonder what the jails in Durban are like; 1-1/2 Stars? 1/2 Star? No Stars at all?
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A little dated, but likely still accurate. Not nice places to be: http://www.iss.co.za/Pubs/Monographs/No64/Chap5.html
Prison policy and the development of private prisons
The average prison in South Africa is forced to accommodate up to twice its intended capacity. In the larger prisons, many of the cells intended for 18 are crowded with 50 to 60 inmates. Often, there are not enough beds or blankets and new arrivals must soon learn to align themselves with powerful gang members in order to obtain the basic necessities.
The food provided is also substandard. Usually, a prisoner in South Africa is given breakfast of mielie pap and then dinner and lunch are combined into an afternoon meal at 15h00. This meal usually consists of ground fish meal and several slices of bread. Meat, fruit, and vegetables are scarce, and the food that does arrive at the prison is often smuggled and stolen so that it can be sold to the highest bidder. Most prisoners are poor and so the medium of exchange becomes sexual favours. This results in victimisation, if not outright assaults, between prisoners and the situation is only made worse by increasing overcrowding and decreasing availability of basic provisions.
The Department of Correctional Services is aware of the problems and challenges faced by the prison system. The department has recognized that the rehabilitation of offenders should be a primary function, but also remains aware that this goal is difficult, if not impossible, to attain given the current situation of overcrowding. The department has adopted several strategies to attempt to deal with overcrowding, including the construction of more prisons. However, the government is also aware that it is impossible to build itself out of the overcrowding problem. In addition to providing more and better facilities, DCS is exploring options such as electronic monitoring and early release of those sentenced for petty offences.
The image at the top of the article is not displaying. Looks like you posted the image contents, instead of a link to the image. I don’t know which browsers support that.
There’s much made of “consensus” these days. Why? What great discoveries, inventions, innovations, accomlishments on the fields of sport or battle, have been accomplished by consensus? Mandela and Gandhi were individuals. They led as individuals. Mandela sat in prison by himself. There was ni consensus behind these great people at the time. Consensus didn’t inspire them to craft a vision and lead.
Is “consensus” the new “communism”?
Let them do it , frankly who would care , and oddly some of those behind Durban would be grateful as it gives them a easy-out for why these events it total fail (again) I can almost hear them saying , ‘if only the protestors had not turned up ‘
@Curiousgeorge says:
November 27, 2011 at 2:59 pm
[re S. African prison conditions]
Oh… smelly, overcrowded, lack of food and sanitary conditions, intimidation, sexual predation… so how is that any different than what the OWSers are experiencing now? Seems to me they won’t figure out they’ve been moved from the park for at least a couple of months. ;o)
David L:
“There’s much made of “consensus” these days. Why? What great discoveries, inventions, innovations, accomlishments on the fields of sport or battle, have been accomplished by consensus?”
My experience of it with these folks is that it ensures the rise of the lowest common denominator. Something the same people usually rail against.
Please could COP-18 be held at the most logical centre for the alarmist cause: Amundsen-Scott Base? I’d love to see just how many advocates of ‘climate justice’ would be willing to Occupy 90S and set up Climate Camp. They’d be able to witness at first hand just how rapidly the polar ice caps are melting.
Anyone just going out there may be some time…
Anybody notice that when you prefix ‘Justice’ with some modifier like ‘Social’ or ‘Climate’ it usually manages to reverse the sense of the original word?
@ H.R. says:
November 27, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@Curiousgeorge says:
November 27, 2011 at 2:59 pm
[re S. African prison conditions]
Oh… smelly, overcrowded, lack of food and sanitary conditions, intimidation, sexual predation… so how is that any different than what the OWSers are experiencing now? Seems to me they won’t figure out they’ve been moved from the park for at least a couple of months. ;o)
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Good point. 🙂 About the only thing they likely won’t get is media coverage.
Well, I’ve been told that Justice is to Social Justice as Chair is to Electric Chair.
LearDog says:
November 27, 2011 at 2:39 pm
What the heck is Climate Justice?
_____________________________
That is real simple. It is a return to feudalism with “us” serfs (or dead) and them as lords.
That is a return to 1800 for most of us while the elite and their pets can remain in the 21st century and live like kings. The energy consumption in the USA in 1800 is actually higher than what some consider “Sustainable.” That is reducing civilizations CO2 output by 80%.
Note that Maurice Strong specifically stated WHO this is aimed at.
An 1800 level society means the return to 250-300 labor-hours required to produce 100 bushels of wheat from 5 acres vs the 3 labor-hours required to produce 100 bushels of wheat from 3 acres we have now. This means we will have to make some major cuts in the population and most (70% to 90%) people will be required to do hand work on the farmland that is being bought up by “investors”
But do not worry, the plan is progressing nicely with the genocides in Africa to be followed by those in South America and then what is now called the Western first world countries.
I would dearly love to say this was sarcasm but it is not. The “conversation” is here including the civilization at the level of 1800.
http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/archives/45086#comment-380264
http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/archives/45086#comment-380871
http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/archives/45086#comment-383055
Nuclear and Hydro the only viable “Outs” are of course not considered an options.
To any US citizens traveling to South Africa for the Occupy: Durban protest:
If you get any friction from the local fuzz, just tell them you are asserting your First Amendment rights. The pigs will be deterred by your impressive legal knowledge and your mellow won’t be harshed.
I agree with Hugh: They have a right to assemble and voice thier concerns. Even if they don’t have a coherent message, which they usually don’t. All they know is that they have been swindled and lied to. They occupy because the people who sit in the thrones at Durban don’t have a single ounce of empathy in thier veins. The elite don’t listen to anyone, because they absolutely don’t care about anything but money and power. That is why these conventioners can’t get anything done: Greed does not share opportunity.
The Occupiers have demonstrated that they do share, and they freely grant the opportunity for others to speak.
We have been occupying the Ivory Towers ourselves, just not in a campout scene.
Our message has been to question and scrutinize relentlessly.
Somebody got emboldened inside the Towers of Secrecy, and that’s how we got Climategate I & II.
Let the outraged Occupiers occupy Durban by camping out.
We will continue to occupy the phony Climate Change meetings and PolyScience Agendas our way.
If I had a science value for the Occupiers to take up in Durban, it would be this: Do No Harm.
What value would you offer to the Occupiers?
These protesters are just like politicians who are often heard saying, “The American people want…yada yada yada”, as if said talking head knows me and is referring to what I want. As soon as I hear that phrase, I vow to not vote for the talking head who utters that despicable catch phrase. That these protesters say they know what the 99% want and need puts them in the same black kettle as the politicians they like to hate.
I hope that South Africa still carries the offence of Riotous Assembly on its books…..
Dear Moderators,
The image at the beginning of the post isn’t loading, apparently the “dead green tree” of the text. I only noticed it should be there when the outline frame briefly showed up on a reload. When I did a quick right-click View Image, I got this URL for the image:
http://www.wattsupwiththat.com/2011/11/27/climate-craziness-of-the-week-occupy-durban/image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAA….
with the end being a LONG string of apparently-random junk. Did the image somehow merge with the URL?
Dear Moderators,
Thanks, the image is loading now.
Two things (even though I am WAAY late on this topic)
* Please don’t leave the occupy COP guys here. We have enough crazies in South Africa. With the influx of delegates attending COP we may have reached an all time high. Saddened that my country is hosting this farce.
* The “dead green tree” is reminicent of the baobab tree which has no flowers or leaves for more than half the year being a species found in arid environments. So it’s not dead. It’s not really green either but then nothing about this conference really is.
I suppose we, the taxpayers, are paying these layabouts to travel the world protesting. About time they got a real job and started paying tax like the rest of us.
A new term enters the climatological lexicon- ‘Oxfamished’.
http://www.news.com.au/business/breaking-news/climate-set-to-worsen-food-crises-oxfam/story-e6frfkur-1226208094974
Which broadly translated means hungry enough to eat an ox and at Occupy Melbourne the ‘food working group’ has already felt mighty threatened and had to move to safety, so be warned about attending Occupy Durban with so many international, voracious, feral mouths out there-
http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/timblair/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/the_food_working_group_is_not_safe1/
Trust me these people will show up anywhere, anytime and swallow anything!
“Occupy Durban”:
I wish I could go with a big sign ” CO2 induced Global Warming only lives in a computer model”. Of course, I would be the first one beat up, arrested and hung by the “freedom loving” other 99%ers. But since I’m part of the 53% that pay taxes, I don’t have the money nor the time to go.
Bad luck Inkwe, but it would appear it’s Durban’s turn to once again demonstrate the supreme wisdom of Blair’s Law-
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Blair's+law
Fast approaching an axiom with these climate gatherings.
Hugh Pepper,
“/Dave Johnson says “Who elected these …..folk to represent the 99%?” The an swer is no one elected them, just as no one elected our own foreparents who protested injustice in France and Britain and in the US (think Tea Party).”
But weren’t our illustrious (and courageous) forebears protesting against exploitation of the poor? Weren’t their struggles directed towards the goals of a) franchesing working people and b) ensuring working people receive a fair deal in an economic environment that routinely discriminated against them?
By some delicious irony, these eco-loons who are amout to descend on Durban (God help the Durbanese!) are struggling to achieve the exact opposite: to disenfanchise working people by concentrating economic decisions in the hands of noble cause technocrats, and to divert wealth from poor people to the wealthy by way of ETS and other subsidies.
So Dave Johnson is quite right with his rhetorical question. Not only did nobody appoint these anti-democracy zealots, but nobody wants them there.
Vince, I think you have a very good point, not well put but hey, the point is there. Good job!
The ‘dead green tree’ is actually a rather miserable example of a baobab. If you check ‘Google images’ for Baobab tree, you will see a good cross section. Many of them look dead. That is their defence against hot and dry conditions. They remain very much alive. While they are seldom-seen foreigners in our area (Durban), I was looking at one just this morning, in full leaf, directly opposite where we had parked at a near-by shopping centre.
In fact, if you follow this link you will see how a truly impressive baobab has been put to exceptionally good use. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10063954@N00/1171155631/
Geoff Alder
WOW! That’s impressive. Do you have any idea how old it is?
Nothing pisses me off more about these occu-tards than their assumption that I would ever want to be part of their 99%. Financially I supposed I fall into their piece of the pie chart but ideologically, spiritually, morally and odorously I surely do not. What a bunch of useless useful idiots.
I couldn’t have said it better myself, oh wait, I did just nobody listened. Good job, I heard you!
Pamela Gray says:
November 27, 2011 at 7:19 pm
While it is true that the Politicians may be the kettle and the Occupiers might be the pot, it is the Politicians and the 1% who own the kitchen.
Walk a mile in the shoes of the other half of the 99%, the layabouts, unemployed, discarded, etc.
The world today has to be frightening, with a steadily shrinking lifeline, to all of the 99%. What will the owners of the kitchen decide our fate is to be?
One battle is won with the phony science being shucked, but the game does not end there.
Keep in mind that half of the 99% do not have half the education we received 40 years ago, all the while the technology and complexity of the world has doubled/tripled. This is what allowed the likes of Gore and others to nearly pull off thier scam.
I would caution to not be too quick to dismiss all occupiers as being co-opted.
Neither were the mass of scientists who were used by the IPCC.
the needs of the 99% are not being heard
That’s because most Parasites can’t talk.
Rick Bradford says:
November 27, 2011 at 7:49 pm
I hope that South Africa still carries the offence of Riotous Assembly on its books…..
As in Tom Sharps’ ” Riotous Assembly” – got that somewhere in the bookshelf.
lol, I grew up in Durban, 23 years, they have no idea what they are in for 🙂
I can honestly say that I have no problem with that. I can’t say I agree with their goals, but the stated method is laudable. It’s just about impossible to control a mob, but the intended method of peaceful protest isn’t anything to sneer at.
Now, I don’t know about anyone else – but I’d bet I’d have a hard time coming up with the money to afford a trip to South Africa right now – or the time off.
Climate Justice has been knocked into a cocked hat by the JAXA IBUKI map showing that the West is a net absorber of CO2, pumped out in excess by the UDN.
What’s truly funny is that since CO2 is valuable, the West should be paying the UDN for every tonne it contributes.
Put that in your stack and smoke it!
_________
As for the OWS/Durban combo — never have two groups deserved each other so much. Never mind just popcorn, this deserves bucketfuls of Cracker Jacks!
Gotta keep my acronyms straight. UDN = Under Developed Nations. So the second sentence should read, “… the West should be paying the UDN for every tonne they contribute.”