There's about ten thousand threads about the protests, so sorry if this is a topic already under discussion, but... Anyone else think that the protesters are starting to take counterproductive actions? Things that will not communicate the message to the rest of the 99% who may not be all the way with them? Because I don't think blocking traffic will do anything to affect the corporate tax rate or government policies that will either turn the economy around or close the wealth gap.

@1 you're so right on the money with that point. i talked to a cop who was assigned to protecting the protesters (another can of worms) and the irony was not lost on him. sometimes community oriented action groups seem to forget the larger community when busy asserting their rights.

@2 does it matter?

I'm guessing the Sounders' March to the Match still has this beat.

I think the point of blocking an intersection is to get people's attention. I think protesters are trying to say: wake up. Look at our economy and political system. The problems we're facing are more important than where you are going right now, and you should join us.

Makes sense to me.

If a yacht toots its horn, it can block hundreds of citizens because of right of way.

Ships were here before cars.

Yet, people were here before cars.

Hence people have the same right of way in crossways.

Toot! Toot!

@6 - Alternatively, blocking an intersection shows contempt for the ordinary problems of ordinary people. Not necessarily the vibe you want to project in this instance.

This protest is well on its way to being even dumber than when it started. It has nothing to do with accomplishing its supposed goals and everything to do with the typical pain-in-the-ass where the message could matter less like protests here always end up going.

@ 9 FTW

Block an entrance to Redmond Town Center, then you might get some attention. The attention may be YouTube clips of you getting run over by a Land Rover, but still...

So, here's an example of a successful labor/protest action. Bus drivers striking their pay downgrade: Kept driving their routes, but allowed everyone on for free.

See how that works? Benefit Everywoman, but stick it to the bosses/budget.

Don't fuck over the people to protest in favor of the people. Be creative. We'll win.

If it becomes just another cops vs hippies protest, it's over.

Don't just do the whole get-arrested thing, fergawdsake. Do something creative!

The hipsters ... so blinding they are.