How come every photo they publish of the protesters they all look like they couldn't get a job flipping burgers. Mayber that's why they have a difficult time finding a job.

I love the sign. Do they even know what they are protesting? They shout a few incoherent phrases that they read online (on their expensive laptops or IPhones). They really don't have a clue. the base is made up of those who just want to see the country torn down.

Maybe the founders of this should go back to their home in Canada.

Maybe the redneck segment of the Republican Teabagger community should move to Texas, and ya'll can secede from the union! You won't need to worry about science, or history, or global politics. You can all speak English! And go to church and pray for the death of everyone in the world that is not like ya'll.

Rednecks. What a disgrace to our country. They embarrass the rest of us.

Careful Optimistic, Tea Party members also pay most of the taxes in this great nation. And Texas has created actual jobs while Odummy has created gov't jobs with debt and tax revenue.

Hate speech is ugly no matter who you aim it at. What is truly a disgrace is the lack of decency shown to fellow citizens who obey the laws and respect each other.

You mean, things like:

In the top 100th of the top 1 percent — just a few hundred families, the share of the nation's income increased from 1.3 percent in 1980 (an average of $5.4 million in 2008 dollars) to 6 percent in 2007 ($36.4 million).

To put that in perspective, the average income of the bottom 90 percent had barely budged. In 1980, they earned $30,941, and in 2007 — almost 30 years later — they took in $33,666.

You mean that type of content?

Really? How would you poop on a police car? Curious minds want to know.

Graphic photo here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2046586/Occupy-Wall-Street-Shocking-photos-protester-defecating-POLICE-CAR.html

This will be on NYU's lesson plan during the third week.

I hope they learn to defecate on your car.

I have a degree in Women's Studies (not woman studies). How worthless is my degree? Do tell. I have an incredible intellect and an awesome job - I got my degree when I was 34, four years ago. What do you know about Women's Studies, that you can say emphatically a degree in the humanities is worthless? In what area of study do you have a college degree? I'm guessing it's a degree in Puerile Douchebaggery, which I'm sure will serve you well in the future.

Wow. In a mental image as strong as an hallucination, I heard the squirt and ding of chewing tobacco hitting a spittoon.

Perhaps we should all get important degrees like NASCAR and Semi-automatic Weaponry.

Seriously, we need two countries.

Comes the appocalypse we're going to need some people who know something about basket weaving.

Comes the Apocalypse I think basket weaving will be real low on the importance meter.

yeah, maybe there should be a degree in how to hunt, farm, build log cabins, can, and make clothing. After the world financial gurus run outta gimmicks on how to rob Peter to pay Paul money wil become worthless,just like many college degrees are now.

Sadly, you may be right.

Ronnie,

Do you work for the government? curious what companies are hiring people for women's studies. can't think of any except the government.

You're going to make him cry.

What a stupid post Common Man. You are showing your colors! Wasting time, on Women's Studies? Oh I forgot, the USA is all about fat, old, white bastards that don't give a @!$%# about anyone else.

Well said, for the redneck teabagger community anyway.

Common

Well Basket Weaving is a Skill. So that beats this course all to H3LL. At least you can make some money selling your Baskets!!

Bill, I'm pretty sure the only thing you can think of is how much you hate people who aren't like you, how wonderful corporations treat you and yours, and what a travesty it is that you have to pay taxes. But if you must know, I work in Education (yes, for the State Government) as an engineer in the business services portion of the districts we serve. I work one-on-one with adaptive technology, networking, and other services experts to deliver better support infrastructure for children with special needs. I'm in the SpEd classrooms with the teachers all day, every workday. I love my job very much, enjoy my ongoing studies of the humanities (including women's lit and critique), and as you can see I'm very passionate about politics and history.

I strongly identify with the OWS folks, I know that big business is taking from the poor to line its coffers. We make a sizeable income and struggle to have a financially fulfilling life, so I know that it is quite rough for a large number of Americans out there.

I'm not sure why all of that makes you so angry, but something else I do know is that you are in the same boat as we are - human rights are your rights, the rich are grifting you, too, and our government is needling away at your lot in life because corporations wield too much power in this country. You may think liberals are evil un-American mongoloids, but you're wrong. Our main position is that EVERYONE has an equal chance in life and an equal voice, which are certainly American values - they're human values.

That's also the position that compelled me to spend several years studying women's literature, history, and critique while pursuing a degree in philosophy. Get it? I'm not sure about basketweaving (which is just an elective by the way, not a degree to my knowledge) but having studied the humanities is quite impressive to employers of all stripes.

And you know this how? Unless you're preparing the curriculum personally, how can you make that statement? The course has just been announced and no further details were presented. Do you have an inside source?

XD -

I don't see how they would get a course syllabus put together and approved that quickly unless they were recycling old material and putting a new name on it.

Actually Brian that's often what many courses do. Probably very similar to a political science class taught in previous years.

XD and Brian -

He/she is probably at NYU in some capacity, it's not that difficult. Here at Columbia, we have had several professionals, officials, and activists in to guest lecture and provide opposing viewpoints on OWS. Similarly, there have been several extra-curricular talks given and it's at talks like this where professors will normally announce that they intend to instruct a course with related content - for those with further interests. I can only assume it is the same at NYU.

If I had to put any money on it, I'd bet that "You have it all wrong" is 100% correct. The course will explore the financial downturn, the economics and politics leading to (and after) that period, the history of activism in the US, the movement itself, and probably relevant legal issues related to public demonstration etc. They won't sit in some classroom all semester discussing the group itself and learning about tents or the sign-making station in Zucotti Park...

-deleted double post-

I could write a syllabus on this class in half an hour or so. Not that difficult really. Studying current events is not that difficult. Only uneducated folks that haven't been to school can't understand that this is just another class on current historical events and the effect they have on society. No different than say the effects the storm surge Katrina had on New Orleans. All you poor people that just want to put down people that are getting an education. You can't understand the importance of understanding current events in the emerging global society. Just a bunch of knee jerk experts in nationalist fascism and bigotry. Your basic idiot grunt with internet access and a keyboard.

Just a bunch of knee jerk experts in nationalist fascism and bigotry. Your basic idiot grunt with internet access and a keyboard

The retards are the ones paying three or more credit hours to sit and listen. what will they do with this course? God forbid they actually take a course that can be used to facilitate their future.

Current events are fine. Great topic for a seminar to be conducted over a few hours. A college level course? Get real. no wonder those people are unemployable. First they look like bums. Second, they have no useful skills. I have more respect for students in a trade school.

They're only dedicated as long as they're warm.

after the deaths, abuses, and thousands of arrests the liberal politicians and the DNC are toning down OWS because it's getting a bad name.

Peter... sad but true.

Too many people graduate college full of altruistic ideals, but little else to get them through life.

Oh yeah.. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

don't mention thousands in debt for being fooled by the colleges that they will be able to get a good job.

don't mention thousands in debt for being fooled by the colleges that they will be able to get a good job.

The odds are in your favor of getting a better job than an uneducated person. Or did you think that when you got out you would be paid like a CEO with absolutley no experience other than a college degree?

They can lead with this. One wonders why today's graduates are useless.

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/06/4102143/is-there-more-to-the-pepper-spray.html

yeah. the liberals are great at making people pay for horrible educations. The world doesn't need thousands of people graduation with sociology degrees.

It is easy to spot the posters that do not have an education.

@Jack: How easy is it? Just because someone believes that we don't need thousands of people with sociology degrees (to which I agree) does not mean they aren't educated?

If your basis is entirely upon the misspelled name "madening", that isn't quite a figure of merit. Plenty of people I work with can hardly spell two words in a row correctly, yet are well-educated.

Just read his posts. Dogmatic, no knowledge of what a sociology degree means, sure in his beliefs offers no empirical knowledge. Sociologists developed the focus group study method. That is why his hot buttons are pushed so easily. Maybe yours too?

They are entering college. you mean they are too stupid to know if the next four years will be worth the effort? no wonder they are clueless idiots. No one forced them to go. no one forced them to take a loan. Maybe is mommie and daddie didn't buy the beach house, take those two vacations a year, buy little Johnnie and Wendy the $100 jeans and get everyone their own computer, tv, cellphone and a new car at 16.....they could actually PAY for their college. Of course mom needed that 45k SUV to drive the little darlings to school. Then a few months before they enter college sweat how to pay.

You fail to realize that all these whinny little brats are dying to go to work for all those rich 1 Percenters.

A fried of mine's son graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Philosophy. He his complaining that he has a LARGE Student Loan to pay off and can't find a job.

I couldn't keep myself from laughing. The scene from History of the World Part I popped into my mind.

Lady at Unemployment Window(Bea Arthur) "Occupation?"

Man at window(Mel Brooks) "Standup Philosopher"

Lady at Unemployment Window " OH,BullSH!T Artist"

I don't think that the is much demand for a BullSH!T Artist these days.

@Jack: I'm well aware of what a sociologist does. Regardless, it is one field in which there are many students, and few jobs, even fewer of which pay well. It is akin to journalism, which is a saturated field, as at any given time, the number of students nationwide majoring in journalism is at least ten times that of the total number of journalism jobs in the entire country.

I just always question those that claim intellectual superiority, especially on the internet. If one is going to make such a claim, they should be able to back it up: So what precisely are your credentials, that you can claim another is "uneducated?"

congrats. it's nice to hear about people working hard to make it. definitely an anomaly in today's society.

U B Clueless.

Said by another that cannot formulate a sentence unless it's based on the new grammar of texting Students think they are owned something and will not claim to be responsible for any of it.

Many out of work. that's because the world has changed and they stood still.m These kids are responsible for putting them out of work. How many printing companies do we need when they use email and tables? These kids think more of foreign products than American ones so blame yourself.

I laugh at the high school, kids who drink and stay stoned through their four years because I guess someone will take care of them. No skills, no talents. But who cares because I'm owed a life. Too bad but those days are gone. Want to occupy something? go ahead and keep dreaming that you are the 99 Percent.

Then don't forget to demonetize those that actually put some effort into building a life. Hate the people in office? Bet you voted for them a few years back. Sadly, the few actual reasonable issues get lost in the joke of the entire event.

I dont know for me its not so much the economic inequity as it is major corporations run amok in their quest for more profits ethics be damned. I do think the modern day stock market is the cause for much of that.

I graduated with a degree in Philosophy and another in Women's Studies, mixing up the Humanities Department with insightful papers and riveting discussion. Part of our coursework was on ethics and civil disobedience - women, gays, blacks, and the rest of the 'others' working tirelessly throughout the history of this great nation to make things better for all of us, including your dumb ass. I make nearly six figures working in engineering now - I can work anywhere I like and command respect. What were you talking about?

Being a mechanical engineer myself, I am curious about what kind of engineering work you do with degrees Philosphy and Women's Studies.

Ronnie Harper,

You have degrees in Philosophy and Women's Studies, yet you're an engineer? So, do you have an engineering degree then as well? You obviously don't have much in the way of manners since you specifically called another poster a "dumb @$$". Maybe you should've paid a little bit more attention in those ethics discussions and learned some simple courtesy.

The fact that you are personally attacking people who think the idea of this class is ridiculous only proves you're an ideologue. You're rudeness also proves you're not too terribly bright, since an intelligent person can disagree with others without resorting to profanity and insults.

And by the way, considering the fact that you work as an engineer, I would guess those degrees in Philosophy and Women's Studies didn't help you get that job. So exactly how valuable were they, as far as work is concerned hmmmm?

ronnie harper

must work for the government. NOBODY in private industry has any need of philosophy and women's studies. So you mean you have a great job on the public til.

You're either children or just unfamiliar with the workplace. A college degree in just about anything shows you have the tenacity and wherewithal to complete what you started, and that you have some level of acumen when it comes to grammar, interacting with others, and problem solving. You don't have to have a degree in engineering to become an engineer - especially if you're like me, someone who has been working since they were 13 doing mechanical and systems engineering AND going to school most of my life. A degree in anything is valuable, and you can study lots of other subjects while you're getting a degree in the humanities, so it's pretty clear most of the respondants here don't have a clue. Also, it isn't unethical for me to call him a douchebag - you're confusing being ethical with being mannerly.

Bell curves are completely unacceptable. Why should 1% of the people control all the "A"s, and the rest have to suffer with B's and C's?

Matt it obvious those selfish A people didn't help the C people so everyone should get a C.

@Common: No, they should take points from the A students and redistribute them to the other students. Then everyone can get credit, no grade, and a certificate with a gold star for participation.

Matt, I think you have nailed it. I also like the gold star idea but they would probably prefer a red star or maybe they could just handout happy face stickers.

I think there is plenty of coverage by the media including interviews to understand. ( mainly they are angry they are not the 1%, and some just have xtra time on their hands)

This class is more bull hockey and you know it.

The best I figure is their goal is to create community awareness regarding systemic corruption and inequality.

8. Automatic passing grade. (they would be to afraid to fail you for fear of being part of THE SYSTEM man!)

9.) How to convince yourself and others of equivalent mentality that what you are doing is morally justifiable.

10.) History: How to make a giant paper mache puppet head for your drum circle.

History: How to make a giant paper mache puppet head for your drum circle

That comment caused tea to shoot out of my nose. Dam you.....

Here is something to add to the list:

Income taxes only account for a bout a fifth of the taxes paid in this country, so we shouldn't confuse them with “taxes” in general. Federal income taxes are among the most progressive, meaning that the more you earn, the more you pay.

Nevertheless, because of years of tax cuts targeted at the top — notably the Bush cuts for high earners — the top 1 percent of American households are paying about ONE HALF that they had to pay in 1980.

He might bring up the fact that while the top 1 percent has doubled its share of income over the last 30 years, the top tenth of the top 1 percent have made a real killing. In 1980, this rarified bunch took in 3.4 percent of the nation's income. By 2007, the year before the crash, they were grabbing over 12 percent. Their average incomes, adjusted for inflation to 2008 dollars, had risen from $1.4 million to $7.4 million during the same period.