Robin Hood vs. the Occupiers

By Michelle Malkin  •  October 21, 2011 11:27 AM

My syndicated column delves deeper into the Robin Hood Tax being peddled by the Occupiers that I mentioned the other day.

Robin Hood vs. the Occupiers
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2011

We have entered a new phase of the endless Occupy Wall Street sleepover. Not working is hard work. After a month of tying up the police, generating mounds of trash, railing against Jews while holding up “Nazi Bankers” signs, grappling with pervs, rapists and thieves in their ranks, communing with avowed communists, and hobnobbing with 1 percenter celebrities donning 99 percenter costumes (phew!), the Occupiers are rallying around a new mascot:

Robin Hood.

The crime-plagued Carnival of 1,001 Demands is now focused on one unified agenda item: a soak-the-rich tax on financial transactions worldwide. The corporate-bashing Canadian magazine “Adbusters” (funded by left-wing Wall Street trader Robert Halper) initiated the Occupy Wall Street siege last summer and published a new online manifesto this week explaining the call for an October 29 “Robin Hood march”:

“Across the globe the 99 percent are marching! … It’s now time to amp up the edgy theatrics … deviant pranks, subversive performances and playful detournements of all kinds.” There’s been no shortage of deviance, unfortunately, what with protesters defecating on police cars, urinating on each other’s tents, stealing food and phones, and exposing themselves to children. But I digress. As the movement “matures,” the leaders overseeing an unruly mob in Guido Fawkes masks exhorted the masses to “occupy the core of our global system.”

October 29 is the eve of the G20 Leaders Summit in France, you see, and that’s the date on which Adbusters wants its followers to “rise up and demand that our G20 leaders immediately impose a 1 percent ROBIN HOOD tax on all financial transactions and currency trades.” The money, say longtime champions of the tax, would go to “fund crucial action against climate change.” The Occupiers’ message? “We want you to slow down some of that $1.3 trillion easy money that’s sloshing around the global casino each day — enough cash to fund every social program and environmental initiative in the world.”

Say what? Panicked governments forked over trillions to rescue politically connected, basket-case banks, and the solution is … punishing individual investors, creating less efficient capital markets, and spreading the wealth around to global-warming zealots and welfare-state overlords?

Rest assured, the text of the Robin Hood tax manifesto will be chanted in ignorant zombie unison — using the “human microphone” method of call and drone — in dingy occupier camps from NYC to San Francisco and every blue dot in between. Showcasing their economic illiteracy, the Occupiers remain clueless about the real-world consequences of their redistributionist claptrap. And they’re ridiculously oblivious to the irony of adopting anti-tax crusader “Robin Hood” as their hero.

The ostensible intent of the anti-”greed” mob may be to reduce volatility in the market by punishing rapacious “banksters.” But the ultimate outcome would be less economic growth, bigger government and more punitive costs imposed on the decidedly non-rich. A European Union commission report on the impact of such a tax shows that it would reduce GDP by 0.5 percent. U.S. economist Kenneth Rogoff explained further in a recent analysis that “the declining volume of trades would shrink the tax base precipitously. As a result, the ultimate revenue gains are likely to prove disappointing, as Sweden discovered when it attempted to tax financial transactions two decades ago.”

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe found that 60 percent of trading volume in Sweden escaped to London after Sweden temporarily raised equity tax rates in the 1980s, and that the country experienced an 85 percent drop in bond trading volume, according to Financial News. The outcome was not simply less volatile trading. It was less trading, period.

The demon millionaires and billionaires whom the Occupiers seek to punish would not be the only ones to bear the costs. Over time, the burden of the Robin Hood tax would shift. Rogoff observed: “Higher transactions taxes increase the cost of capital, ultimately lowering investment. With a lower capital stock, output would trend downward, reducing government revenues and substantially offsetting the direct gain from the tax. In the long run, wages would fall, and ordinary workers would end up bearing a significant share of the cost.”

The original Robin Hood tales of the Middle Ages celebrated a renegade who rose up against property rights violations and taxation abuses. His archenemies were not private traders or bankers, but the local government tax collector, the Sheriff of Nottingham and the power-grabbing ruler, Prince John. Robin Hood, in other words, was far more tea party than flea party.

In any case, if the Occupiers insist on celebrating outright theft from the haves in the name of the have-nots, perhaps they should stop complaining about the pickpockets and looters infesting their camps. Live by “social justice” nursery rhymes. Die by “social justice” crimes.

~ For the latest breaking news, be sure to join Michelle's e-mail list ~
Posted in: Politics,Tea Party

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Comments


  1. #1
    On October 21st, 2011 at 11:36 am, purple raider said:

    The original Robin Hood tales of the Middle Ages celebrated a renegade who rose up against property rights violations and taxation abuses. His archenemies were not private traders or bankers, but the local government tax collector, the Sheriff of Nottingham and the power-grabbing ruler, Prince John. Robin Hood, in other words, was far more tea party than flea party.

    That’s correct. The flea baggers want the government to steal from the people.

    Robin Hood stole from the government.

  2. #2
    On October 21st, 2011 at 11:44 am, swmntman said:

    Instead of camping out on the streets and “tinkling” their fingers up or down for their “cause”, they should have gone to work in minimum wage jobs and pooled their money in true communist fashion. By my calculations:

    3 weeks of occupying = 120 work hours (40 hours/week)
    minimum wage = $7.50/hour (estimate)
    “Feed me, Burp me, Wipe me” members (estimate) = 10,000

    Communist bank account at Citibank = $9,000,000

  3. #3
    On October 21st, 2011 at 11:46 am, Pasadena Phil said:

    It’s Armageddon Day…. again. Barring the discovery of yet another calculation error, this is it. If I were God watching His pet creation short-circuiting and about to blow itself up, I would be tempted to ditch this experiment and start over. Even though God can untangle any knot, He doesn’t have to. I wouldn’t. Being God doesn’t mean you have to do everything the hard way.

  4. #4
    On October 21st, 2011 at 11:48 am, Blackstone said:

    A European Union commission report on the impact of such a tax shows that it would reduce GDP by 0.5 percent.

    You know how the saying goes: “When you lose the EU…”

  5. #5
    On October 21st, 2011 at 11:50 am, peteee said:

    yes, just what will fix everything, let govenments steal yet more money from us. isn’t that like giving alcohol to an alcoholic? and just where do these 99% think this money will come from? why higher costs, and more fees on doing business with any bank. i thought that was what they were against?

  6. #6
    On October 21st, 2011 at 11:52 am, J S Ragman said:

    “the declining volume of trades would shrink the tax base precipitously. As a result, the ultimate revenue gains are likely to prove disappointing, as Sweden discovered when it attempted to tax financial transactions two decades ago.”

    Yes, Michelle, but in typical liberal logic, if they could only force this transaction tax on the whole world, then there would be nowhere for the business to escape to. It’s kind of like the whole “failed stimulus should lead to bigger stimulus” argument.

  7. #7
    On October 21st, 2011 at 11:55 am, Yumpin Yoda said:

    I was in San Antonio last week and an OWS event took place just outside of the Alamo. Very few in attendance (maybe 75) and I was struck by the irony.

    In 1836, several hundred people had died in the Alamo fighting for freedom and independence and hundreds more had been murdered by Santa Ana at Goliad, TX.

    Contrast that with this small crowd of present-day Marxist hippies wanting wealth redistribution and having their educations paid for.

    It’s nothing short of amazing how we all got to this point.

  8. #8
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:01 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    These rats don’t need Robin Hood, they need the Pied Piper!

    (Symphony Of Destruction – Megadeth/Dave Mustaine)

    You take a mortal man
    And put him in control
    Watch him become a god
    Watch peoples heads a ‘roll
    A ‘roll, a ‘roll

    Just like the pied piper
    Led rats through the streets
    We dance like Marionettes
    Swaying to the symphony of destruction

    Acting like a robot
    It’s metal brain corrodes
    You try to take its pulse
    Before the head explodes
    Explodes, explodes

    Just like the pied piper
    Led rats through the streets
    We dance like Marionettes
    Swaying to the symphony

    Just like the pied piper
    Led rats through the streets
    We dance like Marionettes
    Swaying to the symphony
    Swaying to the symphony of destruction

    The earth starts to rumble
    World powers fall
    A warring for the heavens
    A peaceful man stands tall
    Tall, tall

    Just like the pied piper
    Led rats through the streets
    We dance like Marionettes
    Swaying to the symphony

    Just like the pied piper
    Led rats through the streets
    We dance like Marionettes
    Swaying to the symphony
    Swaying to the symphony of destruction

  9. #9
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:03 pm, plymouthacclaim said:

    immediately impose a 1 percent ROBIN HOOD tax on all financial transactions and currency trades.”

    Does that apply to ATM / Debit Card transactions?

    That might bring back the cash economy.

  10. #10
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:11 pm, 1ConcernedMom said:

    As I said in the other Robin Hood thread, it’s not surprising that they twist the narrative to fit their cause.

    On a somewhat related note, my child brought home a reading assignment yesterday. It’s the story of The Little Red Hen, and students are to determine how the hen is similar to and different from her friends. It also notes to the parent that the red hen is willing to work for what she gets, while her friends are lazy and want something for nothing. Such a good lesson!

  11. #11
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:14 pm, BK said:

    Robin hood took tax money from the government and returned it to the taxpayers. It was a tax cut.

    Robin hood was a republican.

  12. #12
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:15 pm, maddmatt3131 said:

    I find it odd the Arab Spring was about more freedom. Occupy Wall Street wants less freedom and some call this the “American Fall”.

  13. #13
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:22 pm, Darthnoob said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:01 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:
    These rats don’t need Robin Hood, they need the Pied Piper!

    (Symphony Of Destruction – Megadeth/Dave Mustaine)

    MOSH PIT !

  14. #14
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:22 pm, maddmatt3131 said:

    Joe Biden wants to say Republicans want to rape women, well what about the OWS protest? City budgets have to fund the police overtime from already cash strapped budgets. Are OWS raping these cities?

  15. #15
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:25 pm, Ilovemycountry said:

    Typical stupid Malkin critique.

    Hey, did you know that the OWS folks are highly educated and well paid?

    Take a look at their demographics – they are more succesful than you people – no wonder none of you can understand them.

    http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-demographic-survey-results-will-surprise-you.php

  16. #16
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:27 pm, Marshall_Will said:

    MM said:

    The corporate-bashing Canadian magazine “Adbusters” (funded by left-wing Wall Street trader Robert Halper) initiated the Occupy Wall Street

    ? I didn’t get much sleep either, our daughter’s friend had a baby that will share MM’s b’day, but did I READ that correctly?

    A guy that made his money ON Wall Street now wants to protest WS?

    Oy vey…

  17. #17
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:28 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    maddmatt3131@12: Ironic, isn’t it. The term American Fall. Makes ya think…

  18. #18
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:39 pm, 1ConcernedMom said:

    I meant to include this in my earlier comment – more death threats.

    ILMC’s comment is hilarious. If those protesting are so smart, why aren’t they at their jobs working, and why are they making ridiculous demands that will hurt rather than help the country? Why do they want to implement things here that have not worked in other countries (socialized medicine)? People can be highly educated and still be stupid.

  19. #19
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:40 pm, Marshall_Will said:

    That said, 47.5% of the sample said they earend ( not my spelling error ) less than $24,999 dollars a year ( was there an even lower bracket? ) and another quarter (24%) reported earning between $25,000 and $49,999 per year. A whopping 71.5% of the sample earns less than $50,000 per year.

    Highly educated (?)
    92.1% of the sample reported “some college, a college degree, or a graduate degree.” ( which could mean just about anything you’d like it to? )

    They have had jobs
    50.4% reported full-time employment, and “an additional 20.4% were employed part-time.”

    Ahem, having responded to a Craigslist ad to attend OWS/Unemployment has yet to run out should -not- be construed as “FT employment”. Busted. Nice try though.

  20. #20
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:40 pm, Hangfire said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:25 pm, Ilovemycountry said:
    Hey, did you know that the OWS folks are highly educated ……

    Duh! Did you think they turned Communist in High School?

  21. #21
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:46 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    Does that apply to ATM / Debit Card transactions?

    That might bring back the cash BARTER economy.

    Eventurally, given what we know of statists insatiable need for increased revenue, no financial transaction at any level would escape the fee.

    Also, the statists will simply abolish cash. Cash allows one too much independence and avoidance of governments hand in controlling and taking its share of personal transactions.

    Can’t have that.

  22. #22
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:51 pm, txvet2 said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:25 pm, Ilovemycountry said:

    Typical stupid Malkin critique.

    Hey, did you know that the OWS folks are highly educated and well paid?

    We know they’re Astroturfers, but I don’t know how well educated those illegals they’ve been hiring are.

  23. #23
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:52 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Showcasing their economic illiteracy, the Occupiers remain clueless about the real-world consequences of their redistributionist claptrap.

    I guess you could call this a success for the public schools.

  24. #24
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:53 pm, J S Ragman said:

    Y’know, if I were going to make blanket statements about people’s education and level of success, I would certainly link to more impressive demographic information than that. But that’s just me.

  25. #25
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:53 pm, in_awe said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:03 pm, plymouthacclaim said:

    Does that apply to ATM / Debit Card transactions?

    That might bring back the cash economy.

    Not to worry, I watched an interview with a young woman OWS-NYC “leader” who articulated the desire to do away with all currency and return to the barter system…and she completely serious.

    Yep, IMC is right – these geniuses are smarter than the rest of us, we’re just too stupid to acknowledge it. Sheesh.

  26. #26
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:57 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Typical stupid Malkin critique.

    Hey, did you know that the OWS folks are highly educated and well paid?

    The ones I saw interviewed were about on your level.

    None of them showed any sign of having the slightest economic knowledge – not even the usual Keynesian nonsense.

    Your comments are as useless as they are laughable. We used to have intelligent lefties on this sight, but they only seem to have left their scat behind.

  27. #27
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:57 pm, Dexter Alarius said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:25 pm, Ilovemycousin said:
    Hey, did you know that the OWS folks are highly educated ……

    Usually only a limited amount of damage can be done by dull or stupid people. For creating a truly monumental disaster, you need people with high IQs. – Thomas Sowell

  28. #28
    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:57 pm, 1ConcernedMom said:

    One more comment, then I’m out for the afternoon. I know several couples where one spouse has a college degree and the other spouse only a high school diploma. In most of these couples, the spouse with the college degree earns LESS than the spouse with the high school diploma. I’m sure the “occupiers” would find that unfair.

    There are so many variables in play in the job market. Education is important, but so is experience, one’s skills/abilities, professional appearance, behavior, how one speaks, and attitude. Just looking at some of the folks protesting tells me why they are not employed – unkept appearance, rude behavior, the use of foul language, entitlement mentality, and poor attitude. Nobody owes any of them a darn thing!

  29. #29
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:00 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    A guy that made his money ON Wall Street now wants to protest WS?

    Engels was an industrialist who had to support Marx financially, even though he too was a Marxist. Stupid is as stupid does.

  30. #30
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:02 pm, J S Ragman said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:25 pm, Ilovemycousin said:

    Dexter, now that’s funny right there. I don’t care who you are.

  31. #31
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:02 pm, maddmatt3131 said:

    FirstSkirt#17: Ironic, isn’t it. The term American Fall. Makes ya think…

    Exactly

  32. #32
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:06 pm, NavyGal said:

    Being highly educated doesn’t necessarily equate to being able to think; most of these folks are simply working without tools.

  33. #33
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:11 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    NavyGal said:

    Being highly educated doesn’t necessarily equate to being able to think; most of these folks are simply working without tools.

    See #19 above. They are “well-educated” the way Joe Biden is the smartest guy in the room.

  34. #34
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:13 pm, Marshall_Will said:

    Dexter Alarius said:

    Usually only a limited amount of damage can be done by dull or stupid people. For creating a truly monumental disaster, you need people with high IQs. – Thomas Sowell

    That’s why their little survey is nigh on worthless. Their responding by alleging to have ‘some’ college describes pretty much everyone in America. Even if they didn’t finish HS!

    Having made ’0′ is of course less than $24,999.

  35. #35
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:16 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    They are nothing if not crybabies. The people they elect do their best to ruin the opportunities in America, then they whine there are no opportunities. I’m guessing there are more women’s studies and sociology majors in the OWS than chemists and engineers. If your choice of major in college is an obviously stupid choice in terms of later job opportunities – major in something useful. The opportunity is there!

  36. #36
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:17 pm, Dexter Alarius said:

    Engels was an industrialist who had to support Marx financially, even though he too was a Marxist.

    Oh, you mean he had to abandon Marxist principles in order to save Marxism?

    Where have I heard something like that before?…

  37. #37
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:19 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    BTW – the unemployment rate for college graduates in the US is still something like 4.3%. Instead of camping out in Obamaville and whining – if you want a job, get a degree – in something useful.

  38. #38
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:20 pm, Hangfire said:

    Navy Ensigns and Army 2nd Lieutenants are highly educated.

    Ask any CPO or Sergeant how far that gets them.

  39. #39
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:21 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    Geez..another occupier without a clue. Listen up, ILoveMyBadBreath….more than 70% of those surveyed YESTERDAY at the New York Occult Festival (aka Occupy NY), did NOT KNOW what the S.E.C. was. You are exactly the kind of dumbsh-t that would consider these dolts “smart” and that includes YOUR pResident.

  40. #40
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:22 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Oh, you mean he had to abandon Marxist principles in order to save Marxism?

    Exactly. He was a MINO. And lucky for Marx who would have starved to death. Marx the Moocher.

  41. #41
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:25 pm, drbulb said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:25 pm, Ilovespewingmindlessdrivel said:

    Hey, did you know that the OWS folks are highly educated and well paid?

    I’m sure that they are well paid. I just wonder which America hating Soros affiliate is paying them…

  42. #42
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:26 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    Yup..remember those 2nd Lieutenants with their HISTORY degrees. I’d love it when some seasoned NCO would tell them, “Listen up, LT. I was pushing tin down this runway when you were just a twinkle in your mommy’s eye. So, step back and I’ll keep doin’ what I do best!” Those were the days.

  43. #43
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:26 pm, cabrerski said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:25 pm, Ilovedocumentingthetextureandodorofmybowelmovements said:
    Hey, did you know that the OWS folks are highly educated ……

    There is a substantial difference between highly-educated and well-indoctrinated. But those in the latter catagory cannot distinguish the fact they have no place in the former group.

  44. #44
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:30 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:22 pm, Darthnoob said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:01 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:
    These rats don’t need Robin Hood, they need the Pied Piper!

    (Symphony Of Destruction – Megadeth/Dave Mustaine)
    MOSH PIT !

    As we speak, Ilovemymoshpit is already repeatedly banging its head on the basement floor.

  45. #45
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:32 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    Wow – cabrerski – @43. My head is spinning at the profundity of your post – well done!

  46. #46
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:33 pm, Marshall_Will said:

    AlohaGuy said:
    BTW – the unemployment rate for college graduates in the US is still something like 4.3%.

    I believe recently hearing in an interview 4.5% but whatever. Point taken. I’d never taken a butter bar ensign’s lack of experience in… flushing a marine strainer or operating an aircraft elevator as having a lack of ‘potential’.

    In fact, you usually only got away w/ bs’ing those guys once. They ramped up quickly.

  47. #47
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:38 pm, rambler said:

    The OWS NYC group is annoying the residents, which I find amusing given that the liberal nanny state gave birth to these mindless idiots and now wants them move because they are disruptive. The libs may want a revolution as long as that revolution doesn’t effect them.

  48. #48
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:40 pm, Marshall_Will said:

    drbulb,

    ( Working Families Party )

    (Yes, we realize that “DIFFERNENCE” should be spelled differently, the image above is a screen capture of the Craigslist help-wanted ad.)

    Can this non-profit organization really be PAYING people to protest? Yes!

    And you don’t even need experience – they are willing to train you, and it is a paid training program.

    From the body of the ad;

    The only requirements are that you are enthusiastic and an energetic communicator with a passion for improving New York!
    We offer substantial paid-training provided by senior leadership on advocacy, public speaking, mobilizing, networking and organizing.
    We invest in passionate people with excellent communication skills and a full benefits package is offered to those candidates that qualify. In addition, there is opportunity for advancement and travel to our satellite chapters and out of state affiliates.
    Working hours are from 1 PM to 9 PM. Work environment is team-oriented, casual but professional.
    The ad also states that pay is between $350-$650 per week.

    h/t Doug Powers

  49. #49
    On October 21st, 2011 at 1:46 pm, Patronedheart said:

    I’m crossing my fingers for a bitterly cold winter to shut these idiots up about global warming climate change climate lies and force them off the streets back to mom’s basement. Kill 2 birds with one stone.

  50. #50
    On October 21st, 2011 at 2:18 pm, Ilovemycountry said:

    Ahhh….

    Conservatives Christians….

    Supporters of greed and theft.

    Yep, you folks are amazing in your ability not to think – how do you do it?

  51. #51
    On October 21st, 2011 at 2:28 pm, buzdburd said:

    If you want to study about greed, read the new biography on Steve Jobs!!

  52. #52
    On October 21st, 2011 at 2:38 pm, cabrerski said:

    Ilovethesoundofmymaturingvoice:

    Tell me something, Sparky. If you turn on the television and the channel selection offers a football game, do you:

    a). Try to analyze why the draw play just ran would not have been the best option against the double zone edge blitz.
    b). Wonder why anyone would go outside to play a silly game, when they can be warm and snuggly in their mother’s basement.
    c). Compare and contrast the teams’s selected colors and whether they make fashion sense. Then move on to the cheerleaders to make snide remarks about their hairstyles.
    d). None of the above. Your channel selections are limited to Lifetime, Oxygen, CurrentTV, MSNBC and Nickelodeon.

    Inquring minds want to know.

  53. #53
    On October 21st, 2011 at 2:47 pm, flmom said:

    Yep, you folks are amazing in your ability not to think – how do you do it?

    You’d probably be the best person to answer that for us.

  54. #54
    On October 21st, 2011 at 2:49 pm, Southpaw said:

    Well said, Michelle Malkin. Not much to comment on for either content or message.

    Well done.

  55. #55
    On October 21st, 2011 at 2:52 pm, granite said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:39 pm, 1ConcernedMom said:

    People can be highly educated have many years of “schooling” & credentials and still be stupid.

    Yup.

    As my late father used to call them: “Educated idiots”.

  56. #56
    On October 21st, 2011 at 2:55 pm, flmom said:

    As my late father used to call them: “Educated idiots”.

    He must have been a Calvin Coolidge fan. I have that quote up on my office notice board.

  57. #57
    On October 21st, 2011 at 3:09 pm, John Deaux said:

    ILMC,

    Do you know the difference between education and intelligence?

    An educated person knows that a tomato is actually a fruit.

    An intelligent person knows not to put a tomato in a fruit salad.

  58. #58
    On October 21st, 2011 at 3:28 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Ilovemycountry said:

    This is it? Nothing intelligent to say – ever?

  59. #59
    On October 21st, 2011 at 3:48 pm, cabrerski said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 3:09 pm, John Deaux said:
    An intelligent person knows not to put a tomato in a fruit salad.

    May I suggest a field experiment based on the info above?

    Let’s dress ILMC in a large tomato costume for Halloween. Then open the “trap door” in the back of the costume. Let him loose in the Castro district of San Francisco.

    Hard to predict the results. Most of us would never mix a tomato in a fruit salad ever again. ILMC may think he is onto a new and exciting recipe worthy of Top Chef and a lifestyle change.

  60. #60
    On October 21st, 2011 at 4:16 pm, spaceycakes said:

    I dunno, the South Africans make a lovely tomato jam.

  61. #61
    On October 21st, 2011 at 4:38 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    As much as I dislike ILMC, I just can’t be part of letting him loose in the Castro District with an open back flap…the possibilities are too gross to comprehend….and I don’t even want to think about the “tomato jam” right now. You guys are bad, you know that Cabrerski and Spaceycakes….

  62. #62
    On October 21st, 2011 at 4:56 pm, Hangfire said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 4:38 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    As much as I dislike ILMC, I just can’t be part of letting him loose in the Castro District with an open back flap…the possibilities are too gross to comprehend….and I don’t even want to think about the “tomato jam” right now. You guys are bad, you know that Cabrerski and Spaceycakes….

    With a little lettuce, the tomato could get his salad tossed in S.F.

  63. #63
    On October 21st, 2011 at 5:44 pm, cabrerski said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 4:38 pm,

    FirstSkirt said:
    …You guys are bad, you know that Cabrerski and Spaceycakes….

    A distinction I wear with pride.

    BTW, someone check on ILMC. Is he hiding in the closet shivering in fear or did he leap out of that closet, looking forward to a bright rainbow?

  64. #64
    On October 21st, 2011 at 6:19 pm, cabrerski said:

    Last report heard from ILMC (alias the tomato) in the Castro District:

    “More bananas, Grommit!”

    (with apologies to Rogue Cheddar).

  65. #65
    On October 21st, 2011 at 6:30 pm, Hiraghm said:

    Could everyone here please go watch The Stupid Person’s Guide to Occupy! Occupy Wall Street (OWS) ?

    Don’t just watch the video, give it a thumbs down and post a comment trying to educate her.

  66. #66
    On October 21st, 2011 at 6:48 pm, stevevvs said:

    Every time I see a picture of RObin Hood, I flashback to “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand, and the conversation between Ragnar Danneskjöld and Hank Rearden. A small part that I especially liked (still kinda long):
    This is the horror which Robin Hood immortalized as an ideal of righteousness. It is said that he fought against the looting rulers and returned the loot to those who had been robbed, but that is not the meaning of the legend which has survived. He is remembered, not as a champion of property, but as a champion of need, not as a defender of the robbed, but as a provider of the poor. He is held to be the first man who assumed a halo of virtue by practicing charity with wealth which he did not own, by giving away goods which he had not produced, by making others pay for the luxury of his pity. He is the man who became the symbol of the idea that need, not achievement, is the source of rights, that we don’t have to produce, only to want, that the earned does not belong to us, but the unearned does. He became a justification for every mediocrity who, unable to make his own living, had demanded the power to dispose of the property of his betters, by proclaiming his willingness to devote his life to his inferiors at the price of robbing his superiors.

    Rand, Ayn (2005-04-21). Atlas Shrugged: (Centennial Edition) (p. 534). Plume. Kindle Edition.

  67. #67
    On October 21st, 2011 at 6:48 pm, cabrerski said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 6:30 pm, Hiraghm said:

    Done and done.
    Next on her list of educational videos: Valley Girl explains the Polyakov action as it pertains to the string theory of particle physics.

  68. #68
    On October 21st, 2011 at 7:16 pm, spaceycakes said:

    ilmc won’t wear a tomato suit because he can’t fit on his leather chaps as well.

  69. #69
    On October 21st, 2011 at 7:29 pm, cabrerski said:

    Hard to get him to put anything else on once the chaps are in place. Except maybe the nipple clamps.

  70. #70
    On October 21st, 2011 at 10:23 pm, Blackstone said:

    Robin Hood is definitely the wrong choice for OWS mascot. This guy is a much more appropriate selection.

  71. #71
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 11:51 am, jrgdds said:

    OWS is just like the TEA Party.

    Hardly.

  72. #72
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 12:04 pm, twons said:

    Robin Hood? Nah, more like Dennis Moore:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLkhx0eqK5w

    “He steals from the poor, and gives to the rich, stupid b****!”

  73. #73
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 12:38 pm, Frank Siegler said:

    Question for Robin Hood et al:

    Maybe it IS the economy?

    The Japanese economy is now offering 75 yen for one US Dollar.

    My perspective:

    Sasebo, Japan in 1964 was a favorite shopping destination for US Navy personnel. The official exchange rate was 360 yen for a dollar…and 420 yen on the street.

    I purchased a Seiko watch (chronograph, 21 jewel Diashock with stopwatch bezel and Speidel stainless steel band) for $35 or 14,700 yen.

    That same watch today would cost $196.00 or 82,320 yen using the 75:1 current yen to dollar exchange rate. With $35 in hand…I would have 2,625 yen against the 14,700 yen asking price…$161.00 or 12,075 yen short of the asking price.

    This is an indication of the start of change in the cyclical nature of the economy. The last huge swing was in the late 1970’s (Jimmy Carter) when the prime rate reached 28% with banks getting 8% over prime or 36% for a business line of credit.

    Maybe the IMU (international monetary unit) is the next step?

  74. #74
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 12:58 pm, puhiawa said:

    Finally had our Occupy in my home town. 10 of the usual cranks showed up.
    Or as CBS would say, a thousand strong.

  75. #75
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 1:42 pm, BK said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 12:25 pm, Ilovemybigotry said:

    Hey, did you know that the OWS folks are highly educated and well paid?

    Who is well paid sitting around doing nothing all day?

    Are you saying they are government ghost payrollers?

    And thank you for your admission that OWS is nothing but AstroTurf since someone is “paying them well” for them as you said.

    I bet it is George “The Nazi Collaborator” Soros, who is collaborating again.

  76. #76
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 2:04 pm, rplat said:

    I have news for these freaks, if they want something from me they must come and take it. . . and I promise I’ll be ready for their visit.

  77. #77
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 2:09 pm, yaymm said:

    These people are the students that take six or seven years to obtain a BA, or BS. That’s why their debt is so high. That’s why they are in their mid-twenties and have no employment experience. That’s why they have the time to demonstrate.

    Furthermore, for the past twenty years, grades in college are a given. The schools want the money, not exemplary students. And most of the classes are taught by some of the best students, or a TV. The Phd’s are busy writing books and lecturing on the side.

    While many students are getting educated and paying their way, for the most part, college has become a joke. College degrees no longer have the respect from the working community that they used to command.

  78. #78
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 2:29 pm, Roland said:

    College degrees no longer have the respect from the working community that they used to command.

    It is important to distinguish between getting a real education and getting a tissue paper degree in the ‘humanities’ and the social ‘sciences.’

    You can still get a top flight, well respected education from American universities if you are going for a degree in mathematics, engineering, chemistry and so on.

    Of course you will be getting bombarded with leftist propaganda the whole time, often even in your classes, but the education is still there to be had.

  79. #79
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 2:47 pm, Collateral Damage said:

    The Robin Hood Marxists have learned well from their Communist Party-supported teachers and professors. It’s like they all had Frances Fox Piven clones for teachers (like the Jackass-In-Chief, who actually had the real one!). Remember folks, the reason we are at this near-collapse moment in time is because of the Jackass-In-Chief (Buycks-Robeson v. Citibank) and his bud Slick Willie who, by executive order, caused outrageous crimes against America by expanding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to take in all kinds of hoursecrap mortages. That’s why we are at this juncture, stupid Jackass policies.
    Oh yeah, “ILoveMyCountry,” why don’t you go back the Huffington Post blog ot the MoveOn blog where all of you commie lunatics belong.

  80. #80
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 3:29 pm, ChapBix said:

    #5. On October 21st, 2011 at 11:50 am, peteee said:

    Looks to me like these Occupiers are more than a few fries short of a Happy Meal. Willing stooges and useful idiots of the communists.

  81. #81
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 3:45 pm, ChapBix said:

    #18. On October 21st, 2011 at 12:39 pm, 1ConcernedMom said:

    I meant to include this in my earlier comment – more death threats.

    ILMC’s comment is hilarious. If those protesting are so smart, why aren’t they at their jobs working, and why are they making ridiculous demands that will hurt rather than help the country? Why do they want to implement things here that have not worked in other countries (socialized medicine)? People can be highly educated and still be stupid.

    A wise person once said that there are some people educated well beyond their intelligence.

  82. #82
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 3:54 pm, jrgdds said:

    Slow Joe has got to get through 2012 first Much like Mondale had to get through 1980. (One of my submissions to Art Works. For Barry and Joe’s re-election campaign )

  83. #83
    On October 22nd, 2011 at 3:56 pm, jrgdds said:

    @ 82 sorry wrong thread. poor eyesight and fast fingers…

  84. #84
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 6:58 am, Danceswithdachshunds said:

    1ConcernedMom said:…People can be highly educated and still be stupid brainwashed .

    fify

    Millions of dead Russian intellectuals agree.

  85. #85
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 8:42 am, GraniteMan said:

    The crime-plagued Carnival of 1,001 Demands is now focused on one unified agenda item: a soak-the-rich tax on financial transactions worldwide.

    August to September Obama begins his ‘Class warfare”. October the Occupiers come up with an issue—-Class Warfare. If I wasn’t assured daily by the mainstream press that Obama is as honest as the day is long it would seem they are working in tandem……….Naaaw.

  86. #86
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 9:39 am, Mister P said:

    I am getting a kick out of this situation. In Raleigh and Charlotte, and no doubt other cities, the occupiers are actually camped out in the haunts of the chronically homeless. Now the homeless are returning begging for food and sleeping bags and spots in the tents. So the occupiers are begging the police to arrest the homeless.
    This is now the real class warfare. The spoiled leftist kids versus the homeless.

  87. #87
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 9:46 am, Mister P said:

    Conservatives Christians….

    Supporters of greed and theft.

    I think it is far from being “greedy” that each person is “responsible” (a term I am sure you hate) for themselves and their family. It creates industry and economic independence (another term I am sure you hate).
    But there is also another form of greed, one far more insidious. It is the greed for power. The left has the lust for power, to tell individuals how to live their lives. It is a need to control and make those who disagree subservient.

  88. #88
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 10:21 am, sonerai32645 said:

    How many of the Reps. running talk about spending less? I see some changes in the tax system, but that will just raise my taxes. Are they all alike?????

  89. #89
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 10:26 am, Flyoverman said:

    Supporters of greed and theft.

    I would characterize those “supporters” as people who worship someone worth over four million dollars, who falsifies an Air Force flight manifest to declare his two school age daughters are “Senior Advisors” so they can fly free. The cost of the flights are paid for in part by some guy in Sheboygan who works in a chair abd support three kids, one them in college, and an elderly widowed mother.

    I find such conduct by a multimillionarie to be pretty despicable.

    If a person in my corporation falsified an expense report, so one of his kids flew free on company business, they would be fired on the spot.

  90. #90
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 10:27 am, Speakup said:

    Robin Hood is a tad further back than any stuffy old outdated Constitution.

    So, occupiers want a feudal society, hope they have lots of arrows to go with that mud hut, no health care, 25 year life span, agenda 21 lifestyle.

  91. #91
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 11:44 am, Hiraghm said:

    On October 23rd, 2011 at 10:27 am, Speakup said:

    Robin Hood is a tad further back than any stuffy old outdated Constitution.

    So, occupiers want a feudal society, hope they have lots of arrows to go with that mud hut, no health care, 25 year life span, agenda 21 lifestyle.

    Absolutely! These idiots have been indoctrinated all their lives to think in feudalistic terms.

    Just what is the modern business form? You go to work for someone; they provide your work environment and tools. They dictate when you work, and in most cases how you work. They provide you with healthcare, retirement, sick leave, pregnancy leave, and other “permissions” to not work (sometimes providing even cars and homes). The employer, in many cases, can dictate how you dress, how you talk, and even how you live when not working.

    How is this particularly different than the serfdom of the feudal society? I’ve always preferred the idea of “contract labor”. You know how to do your job. You come in, you do it, I pay you for it, you go home and buy your own darned health care; save up for your own darned retirement. So long as I get the work done I’m paying for, I shouldn’t care how you dress, what you say or how you live when not on my premises.

  92. #92
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 1:03 pm, Hiraghm said:

    Came across this (in my opinion) great video on Youtube.

    I Remember America

  93. #93
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 1:59 pm, corkie said:

    On October 21st, 2011 at 2:18 pm, Ilovemycountry said:
    .
    Conservatives Christians….

    Supporters of greed and theft.

    What theft do Conservative Christians support?

    And what’s your definition of greed?

  94. #94
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 2:48 pm, ChapBix said:

    #87. On October 23rd, 2011 at 9:46 am, Mister P said:

    It is a need to control and make those who disagree subservient.

    Need vs desire. I vote for “desire”. Otherwise, I fully agree with your statement.

  95. #95
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 10:27 pm, sonerai32645 said:

    a thief is a thief is a thief

  96. #96
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 10:29 pm, StaceyOfLiberty said:

    The original Robin Hood tales of the Middle Ages celebrated a renegade who rose up against property rights violations and taxation abuses. His archenemies were not private traders or bankers, but the local government tax collector, the Sheriff of Nottingham and the power-grabbing ruler, Prince John. Robin Hood, in other words, was far more tea party than flea party.

    Respectfully, that is not quite correct. The Sheriff of Nottingham did oppress the poor with heavy taxation, but Robin Hood, Allan-a-Dale, Will Scarlett, Friar Tuck, and Little John politely robbed all sorts of rich people. Even from the really early versions, 13th-14th century, it is basically a class warfare story. In most versions of the story, Robin Hood himself is a property rights violator, outlawed for hunting on Nottingham’s private grounds.

    I am a complete Robin Hood nerd. (King Arthur, too.) I think this website is pretty good if you want to learn more about the Robin Hood myth.

    http://www.boldoutlaw.com/

  97. #97
    On October 23rd, 2011 at 11:23 pm, intercontinental said:

    Kind of off topic. October 23rd, 1956 the Hungarian Revolution took place to gain freedom. They were defeated by the Russians. The OWS people have NO IDEA what freedom means, and now they want to sell it to the highest bidder. History will repeat itself. Today marks another anniversary.

  98. #98
    On October 24th, 2011 at 11:59 am, corkie said:

    On October 23rd, 2011 at 10:29 pm, StaceyOfLiberty said:

    Respectfully, that is not quite correct…

    I think this website is pretty good if you want to learn more about the Robin Hood myth.

    http://www.boldoutlaw.com/

    That website offers so many different concepts of Robin Hood that I’m surprised you provided it to back up your claims that Michelle is not quite correct.

  99. #99
    On October 25th, 2011 at 11:11 am, Hiraghm said:

    On October 23rd, 2011 at 10:29 pm, StaceyOfLiberty said:

    Those “private grounds” were once HIS property, confiscated for taxes by the aristocracy.

    Nice try.

  100. #100
    On October 25th, 2011 at 11:11 am, Hiraghm said:

    Occupy Wall Street Solicits Wall Street Banker

    James O’Keefe strikes again…

You must be logged in to post a comment.


JustOneMinute

» Barack, Youthful Leader!
Follow me on Twitter Follow me on Facebook