Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Conservatives launch “We are the 53 percent” to criticize 99 percenters

By , Published: October 10

Conservative activists have created a Tumblr called “We are the 53 percent” that’s meant to be a counterpunch to the viral “We are the 99 percent” site that’s become a prominent symbol for the Occupy Wall Street movement. The Tumblr is supposed to represent the 53 percent of Americans who pay federal income taxes, and its assumption is that the Wall Street protesters are part of the 46 percent of the country who don’t. “We are the 53 percent” was originally the brainchild of Erick Erickson, founder of RedState.org, who worked together with Josh Trevino, communications director for the right-leaning Texas Public Policy Foundation, and conservative filmmaker Mike Wilson to develop the site, according to


The overriding message is that the protesters have failed to take personal responsibility, blaming their economic troubles on others. “Suck it up you whiners. I am the 53 percent subsidizing you so you can hang out on Wall Street and complain,” writes Erickson, in the Tumblr’s inaugural post. “I don’t blame Wall Street because it doesn’t matter what Wall Street or anyone else does. I am responsible for my own destiny. I will succeed or fail because of me and me ALONE,” writes another contributor, who describes himself as a Marine Corps veteran. Another irate contributor writes: “I take risks so my kids can have a better life. Not so you can sit on your [expletive] at my expense.”

Friday, September 9, 2011

Everything must go

Man shot killed by Police

Medical authorities say Charles Hill, 45, was the man who was shot to death over the weekend by BART police.

Hill "had no fixed address," according to the San Francisco Medical Examiner's Office. BART police shot Hill at the Civic Center BART station after getting calls about an apparently drunk man wobbling throughout the station.

A "confrontation" occurred between the officers and Hill, which led to the fatal shooting, according to BART.

While BART Chief Kenton Rainey has defended the shooting, saying Hill was armed with a knife and using his alcohol bottle as a weapon, witnesses have told reporters a much different story.

The Bay Citizen reported yesterday that a witness told the newspaper that Hill, who was wearing a tie-dyed T-shirt and army fatigues, wasn't running or "lunging" at the cops. In other words, the shooting didn't seem justified. Rainey said that the officer did have a Taser, but chose not to use it for reasons he cannot yet explain. However, he has said he feels "comfortable" with the way the officers reacted.

BART Deputy Police Chief Daniel Hartwig told reporters last night that the agency might release video surveillance of the shooting as long as it doesn't interfere with the investigation.

Both officers have been placed on administrative leave while the agency and the District Attorney's Office investigates.