Occupy Oceanside . . . Filling In The Ellipsis

The “Occupy” movement came to Oceanside yesterday. And as with all the “Occupy” movements, the question is, what’s their purpose?

A brief preview story in the San Diego Union-Tribune provided this tantalizingly elided quote from an Occupy Oceanside press release:

“The big banks, multinational corporations and unscrupulous billionaires … have far more influence on the democratic process than ever intended by our Forefathers,” said Occupy Oceanside spokeswoman Rena Wallenius in a news release.

Curious newshound that I am, the “…” grabbed my attention immediately. What was left out of the quote from the press release?

But the entire press release is available on Occupy Oceanside’s Facebook page. (sorry, you have to scroll down a bit). And now …. here’s the complete sentence, with missing text in red underlined characters.

“Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court authorized the unbridled funding of the elective process, the big banks, multinational corporations and unscrupulous billionaires such as the Koch brothers have far more influence on the democratic process than ever intended by our Forefathers.”

So there was missing text at the beginning of the press release quote, in addition to the omitted mention of the Koch brothers, a bête noire of the far left.

That missing material gives a better idea of the political goals of the Occupy Oceanside movement, as well as which billionaires they think are unscrupulous. Had the press release named George Soros instead of the Koch brothers, the meaning would have been quite different.

Why, I wondered, did the U-T go out of its way to delete that reference to the diabolical Koch brothers, Source of All Evil™?

As a fellow ink-stained wretch, I  sympathize with the relentless pressure of deadlines. But leaving in those words about the Koch brothers in the press release wouldn’t have taken any extra time.

And those few words from the press release would have given the readers more information about Occupy Oceanside’s political orientation.

Also, on the Internet, there’s no space restrictions, and hence no reason not to include the entire text of the Occupy Oceanside press release, perhaps in a sidebar.

And since Rostra readers expect no less than the complete story, here’s the entire press release, minus the outdated contact information:

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OCCUPY WALL STREET MOVEMENT COMING TO OCEANSIDE ON OCTOBER 28th

Occupy Oceanside will hold its first demonstration at the entrance to the Oceanside Pier

OCEANSIDE, CA, October 28 – The movement that began on Wall Street in New York last month has spread to cities across the country, including San Diego, and will now reach Oceanside.

Scheduled for Friday, October 28 at 3:00 PM in Oceanside at the entrance of the Oceanside Pier on Pacific Street and Pier View Way, the non-violent demonstration will speak out about the inequality of wealth, income, and political power in the United States, California, San Diego County, and Oceanside. All members of the public are encouraged to join the event on the sidewalk to meet fellow members of the 99%.

“Everyone I know is of the 99%,” said 24-year old Travis Krahel, a citizen of Oceanside, “I am a tax-paying electrician and I’m tired of working people getting hurt and being blamed for the economic collapse caused by Wall Street gamblers.”

According to the “Declaration of the Occupation of New York City,” the movement believes that “corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments.” In other cities, the movement has setup long-term occupations of public space; the Occupy Oceanside event will not be permanent, but such an occupation will be up for consideration as the local movement progresses.

“Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court authorized the unbridled funding of the elective process, the big banks, multinational corporations and unscrupulous billionaires such as the Koch brothers have far more influence on the democratic process than ever intended by our Forefathers,” according to Occupy Oceanside spokesperson Rena Wallenius, “It’s time for the other 99% of us to stand up and be counted.”

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I want to draw attention to this statement toward the end of the press release, which may portend future action in Oceanside:

In other cities, the movement has setup long-term occupations of public space; the Occupy Oceanside event will not be permanent, but such an occupation will be up for consideration as the local movement progresses.

That implies a long-term “occupation of public space” in Oceanside may be in the works. Stay tuned.

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(DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed here are my own, and not necessarily those of my employer, the North County Times.)