Comments on: GU Occupy teach-in addresses income inequality in America

By: Fareed

Fareed — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:43:36 +0000

@Seriously, @Rob Byrne

I think the point is that Georgetown’s not going to come around on this independent of external pressure (e.g. from the city, the courts, or a generally accepted shift in social morays). For example, LGBT groups had to *SUE* for their right to exist on campus and the university only came around when Mayor Barry threatened to withhold a bond guarantee.

Now more than ever, Georgetown is an institution guided by the same old corporate amoralism that animates any big organization, including most of our nation’s universities.

So, anyone that has legitimate grievances with the university shouldn’t bank on its “Jesuit vaues”; that’s what we call branding. Instead, get yourself a lawyer, call the Tenant Advocate, or testify before the city council/zoning commission.

By: Seriously, @Robert Byrne?

Seriously, @Robert Byrne? — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:05:57 +0000

Yes, you’re right – there has never been civil discourse or mutual respect at this university. That’s why we’re relying on slaves to build the new science center, I have never had a class with a female student, protests (like the Occupy protest I so desperately wanted to attend in Red Square) are forbidden – especially if they deal with any sort of civil rights, anti-war, or (god forbid!) anything related to LGBTQ, and I am unable to receive any form of financial aid. Thank god Georgetown has never changed and will never change! Thank my oppressive God that anyone that ever considered attending Georgetown before self-righteous crusaders like you were crucified trying to fix it is inherintly racist and evil and represent only the worst about our shared past!

By: on the other hand

on the other hand — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:17:40 +0000

Although both situations are unfortunate, many times the “sweat shops” are actually the better option compared to prostitution or indentured servitude for those children. It’s higher-paying and its safer; the lesser of two evils.

Just trying to play devil’s advocate.

Source: Naked Economics, 2010 (revised edition)

By: @@@goaway

@@@goaway — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:36:43 +0000

http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/lwp/NLC_childlabor.html

“According to a new National Labor Committee report, an estimated 200 children, some 11 years old or even younger, are sewing clothing for Hanes, Wal-Mart, J.C. Penney, and Puma at the Harvest Rich factory in Bangladesh.

The children report being routinely slapped and beaten, sometimes falling down from exhaustion, forced to work 12 to 14 hours a day, even some all-night, 19-to-20-hour shifts, often seven days a week, for wages as low as 6 ½ cents an hour. The wages are so wretchedly low that many of the child workers get up at 5:00 a.m. each morning to brush their teeth using just their finger and ashes from the fire, since they cannot afford a toothbrush or toothpaste.”

But at least poor Americans can afford it, right?

By: to the above poster

to the above poster — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:43:50 +0000

You don’t have any idea what non-profits actually do, do you?

By: @@goaway

@@goaway — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:44:32 +0000

working for the government… definitely the best way to make the world a better place. Q. What makes poor peoples lives better? the slew of non profits clamoring to protect them, or say, Phillips making cheap and efficient lighting, or Haines making socks and undies that both rich and poor americans wear? But nah, non-profits teaching kids how to pick kale on a hipster farm is way more important. Honestly, its cool to do that and can do some good. But I think you overlook how wonderful the soulless market economy has been in improving the lot of the poor.

By: Rob Byrne

Rob Byrne — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:31:37 +0000

Thanks for covering, Vox. Just wanted to share the full context of my quote: “To me, the Chimes symbolize Georgetown’s very mixed tradition. As an all-male, overwhelmingly white organization, they represent the pursuit of truth within a campus built by slaves; that precluded women’s access; that silenced Civil Rights/anti-war/LGBTQ activists in the 1960s; and remains utterly socioeconomically exclusive. Never in my lifetime did I expect a literal circle of Chime alumni and a circle of new-wave student activists to come together to sing the Georgetown fight song and have an authentic conversation on inequality. It was truly a momentous occasion, if only because it serves as a rare example of civil discourse and mutual respect at this university.”

By: future banker

future banker — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:49:07 +0000

Instead of cleansing the american flag, I need to go cleanse myself because even reading about how stupid these #occupy people are makes me dirty.

By: @go away

@go away — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:38:07 +0000

That comment was honestly one of the most wildly uninformed and childish (and whiny) comments I’ve read on here. Even if you don’t agree with Occupy, you don’t have to whine unproductively and make stupid suggestions because you disagree with them. Honestly, it’s a bit ironic that you’re calling them out for targeting people with different interests and for being unproductive when you’re doing just that.

By: typical

typical — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:47:55 +0000

“My idea of a perfect government is one guy who sits in a small room at a desk, and the only thing he’s allowed to decide is who to nuke. The man is chosen based on some kind of IQ test, and maybe also a physical tournament, like a decathlon. And women are brought to him, maybe…when he desires them.” -Ron Swanson

I think you all should go away.