The Wall Street protests have had a varying range of media exposure. After complaints that the coverage was insufficient, which is what nearly every public protest claims, the papers and networks began reporting more. Unfortunately, with so many opinions in the movement and lacking specific proposals at the outset, the media clung to more tangible stories-- confrontations with police and arrests; as well as, traffic, property, sanitation, and tourism concerns.
Two weeks after the demonstrations began came the reasons for the protests in the form of the “Declaration of the Occupation of New York City”. Therein, you’ll basically find a list of gripes that are mainly linked to the notion that our rights include, not only, freedoms like speech, religion, and opportunity but also cover housing, internet access, higher education, and lifetime healthcare insurance. They’re wise to keep their declaration limited to complaints because the implementation of the proposals implied would mean an enormous amount of new government spending in the midst of record deficits that not even an obscene confiscation of corporate profits would be able to cover. Inevitably, this would erode any public appeal that the protests now enjoy. However, a constant attitude throughout the occupy movement seems to be an almost visceral dislike for money itself and one wonders if the justice they seek looks more like the Fight Club finale than expansion of federal entitlement spending.
The contradictions don’t end there. In the mix you’ve got Obama supporters and Obama opponents--Romney supporters and Romney opponents. There are those that want to end the Federal Reserve Bank and those that want to end all banks. Some want to fix corporations while others want to outlaw them all together. Then you have those that want to get closer to the Constitution and those that want to completely disregard it. After weeks of videos and articles I find myself increasingly more confused about the purpose of the occupy movement. Some have even suggested that its lack of clarity is an asset, which is a point I’m still trying to grasp.
And then I had an epiphany of sorts. What the Wall Street occupiers need is a face, a personality, a singular spokesman that encapsulates their complaints, their style, and their love of vagrancy. This courageous soul can consolidate their thinking for public consumption and explain to those still in the dark, like myself, what this is all about. Much like Joe the plumber who came to symbolize the tea party, I have found his alter ego in the occupy movement--Danny Cline the plumbers helper, A.K.A., lotion man.
Many of us first saw Danny in this video where he brings his concerns to light in a fascinating debate with a passerby.
As you can see, Danny the plumber’s helper explains, as he holds up his pants, why he hates corporations, citing, “they don’t give me money”. Too bad they won’t give him a belt, either. Luckily, he has enough of his own finances to purchase ample eye shadow. The older man with the Yakima then calls Danny a bum, which is rebutted with an anti-Semitic tirade that attacks the man’s height and status as an immigrant. At the beginning of the clip he refers to Hollister--the clothing company. I’m not sure if the comment was derogatory or if he was just explaining what he was wearing but remember this for later. In any case, towards the end of the clip comes my favorite wisdom from the plumber’s helper when he’s asked why he’s protesting. His response, “to provocateur your mind.” He also adds, “I got off drugs. I’m not mentally ill.” Then it appears he runs off as police sirens can be heard approaching.
If that wasn’t enlightening enough, I then found a second offering from the same guy. He doesn’t show up till 1:55 in. If you experience trouble loading from the link go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50rpJ7EQWuI&feature=player_embedded
In addition to the normal leftist rhetoric that encourages government take-overs and an end to the monetary system, we find Danny Cline muscling his way into an interview in perfect union fashion. Arrogantly, he defames the intelligence of the protestor who’s interview he just high jacked.
Then I found this video, dated just days before the protests began.
As you can see, Cline just got out of prison for what seems to be shop lifting--even showing the Hollister underwear he got past the authorities. He seems to be in some type of brewing confrontation with another vagrant, asking, “Why do bums always want to fight me?” A question we’ve all asked ourselves from time to time. Then comes a thought provoking discussion about the definition of the term nigger. To top it all off we get to see his butt and his overuse of sunscreen--hence the name, lotion man. And it’s worth mentioning that if this clip doesn’t quell everyone’s fears about Danny Cline’s sobriety then nothing will.
So, I think it’s pretty clear that the occupiers have found their ambassador to carry their torch into the mainstream and represent their desperate cause. His name is Danny the plumber’s helper or as you may know him, lotion man.
