Nov 13

Occupy Vancouver and its Drug Problem…

It was the 15th of October, the first day of Occupy Vancouver. I was walking onto the grounds and immediately began to smell marijuana smoke wafting across the stage. It was a couple of hours before anything was planned, so I didn’t really pay too much attention to it.  But, as the day continued, it became obvious that this would become a problem.

A couple days later, I spent my day greeting newcomers- sharing with them why I came to OV, and what other people in the movement were motivated by. I found a couple of card-carrying conservatives- talking to them, it was obvious they were at OV for bedlam. There are a lot of visitors who come for this reason- particularly during the first week.

I started to explain to them I am there because “I cannot afford to take care of my parents when their pension disappears.” That got their attention! Then, I explained to them the story about Iceland, and how they were able to default their national debt and still survive. That got their attention! Then, moments later, someone lit a joint, and the couple hightailed it out of there…

Then there was the day of the day of the first overdose. I remember seeing it mentioned on @ScanBC’s Twitter stream a few minutes after it was discovered. My heart sank, this didn’t sound very good. Luckily, one of our heroic medic volunteers saved this person’s life. But, it was obviously time to stand up and say something.

So, I get onto the Facebook page and suggest we take some action. I started a poll asking if we should allow users of hard drugs to stay on the OV grounds- or, should we give them the option to send them off to a recovery program or leave.  The majority of people online agreed at the time that it was not acceptable for them to stay. But, there was a vocal minority who disagreed very strongly. The conversation went on for two days, without resolution, then was (without warning) erased on Saturday at the time of the next overdose.

I also found news of this incident through ScanBC on Twitter- knew it happened before many people in the camp did. And, this time was tragic- she had passed away in our tent. Until today, we didn’t know the cause of her death- but it was released this afternoon that she died from a mix of heroin and cocaine. They found a crack pipe in here pocket- what a senseless waste of a human life…

So, here we are- two confirmed overdoses, and one fatality- yet there is still a reluctance to take action at the camp. The vast majority of Occupy locations have a strict no-drugs policy, but Vancouver still hasn’t got that far. We are just too damn politically correct to make a move like this- rather unfortunate, isn’t it?

If there is to be an Occupy Vancouver 2.0,  it is my hope/understanding that it will begin having a code of conduct. Had we only taken this suggestion a while ago, perhaps things would be better today…

Nov 13

Vote on if Occupy Vancouver Should Keep or Denounce Black Bloc

[polldaddy poll=5666532]

Nov 12

A Resounding No!

I’m on my way home after attending the Meet the Candidates at the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House. I submitted a question for all candidates:

“Is it acceptable to use Riot Squads to shutdown Occupy Vancouver?”

My question was lost in the crowd, so wasn’t discussed. So, I Politely insisted my question be answered at the end.

The room stopped, my question was taken seriously, and then, like dominos- no!, no!, no!….

So, there you have it.  They were all on video, and not a single person on the board even dared to disagree!

So, can we now ask the Black Bloc to retire!   😉

Nov 12

Some motivational speech from a man who’s words are worth….

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Nov 12

Occupy myself…

Something enormous is happening inside of me, I can’t wait to share it with you all.

But, first, I have to very special girls to take care of.  Spent my night building dioramas to remind them both how much they mean to me.

Love you all…

Nov 12

Is The Pope Catholic?

Globe & Mail:  “Vancouver fire officials say Occupy site isn’t safe”

Vancouver Sun: “We are co-operating,’ Occupy protesters say – and fire chief agrees”

 CBC: “Occupy Vancouver complies with fire chief’s demands”
___________________________________________________________
Dear MSM,

Are you F#$%ING kidding me?

Of course, camping is a risky business for the  unprepared.  We all understand that. This is what motivated us to engage the VFD to create a fire plan!

You are missing the real story here- that people in our movement are willing to endure great discomfort, and accept physical/social/economic risks  in exchange for a free democracy!

What is your personal contribution?

Sincerely,
Occupy Vancouver/Toronto/Montreal/Calgary/Edmonton/Moncton/Victoria/Moscow/Wall Street /Zimbabwe /Mars….

Nov 11

Why Does Media Coop Keep Releasing Agitation?

Why does the Media Coop keep publishing videos that allude to police violence or violence towards the police? Is this sort of subversion not illegal? What is their connection to Harsha Walia? And what is the connection with W2?

Nov 11

Say What?

Folks, I’m scared.

I’ve unwittingly stumbled onto something about Occupy Vancouver that may just be the most important story about this movement yet.  If you read my article Titled Yellow Card you’ll know the story. Harsha Walia is the person who injected the term “Uunceded coast salish territory” into our statement of unity- possibly the most divisive issue ever to hit the OV.

Will follow-up more soon but, for now, please have a look at this video. If you have any information that can help me with this, I’d appreciate if you could share.  There are still a few missing puzzle pieces missing.  If you have any information that you think may be helpful, please let me know.

Nov 10

A Media Tip From the CBC

I ran over to the VAG on Monday afternoon, ran to the bus about 5 minutes after I saw the video from Sunday night’s kerfuffle over a certain ‘sacred’ fire- more about that on my next post…

Ian Hanomansing was there interviewing people for the CBC’s evening news show ‘The National’. He spent some time talking with us after the camera was turned off, and shared a bit of useful advice.

He talked about the Robert Dziekański incident- a situation where the RCMP tazed a Polish immigrant for the crime of not speaking English. When interviewed, before it was known there was a video tape available, the officers fed the press with a lot of BS. Once the video came out, it was obvious they were lying.

His advice was that the press judge people’s integrity by the gap between what they say about the incident, and what the video shows actually occurred. Good advice, and a very sly way of saying GOTCHA to the people he interviewed!

Nov 10

Eye of the Hurricane


I’ve been taking late night visits to Occupy Vancouver 1.0’s camp at the Vancouver Art Gallery(VAG). People have more time to talk at night, so it is a good time to get into more substantial conversations.

Each time I go to the VAG I find something to be different- and today was no exception. Most of the tarps have been removed, a second dome is finished, the fire was not burning. and the demographics have changed beyond recognition.

There was an addict that came to the medical tent while I was speaking with one of the volunteers there. He came for some latex gloves- promised he was walking around the corner, with a buddy, to go shoot up. So, still enabling, but at least they aren’t alone in a tent…

The quiet reminded me of being in the eye of a hurricane- a short reprieve before the next stage of the storm arrives. If only people at the camp could have got their act together before it was too late.

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