Clapton was involved in a controversy in 1976 after going on a drunken racist on-stage rant during a concert in England. The incident directly resulted in the Rock Against Racism movement in the UK (and US). The incident was a one-time thing that Clapton repeatedly apologized for and greatly regretted and was forgiven and forgotten…But yeah, you would think that people who grew up listening to the rock bands of the late 60′s/70s would find the likes of Cruz and Perry as anethema.

If i ended up in a band with a wretch like Courtney Love I would end up on junk and if I got stuck in a relationship with her, I would suck on a shotgun.

From a blog from one of the organizers

…Now, after many consultations with attorneys, the IRS, and our moles in the debt-brokerage world, we are ready to take the Rolling Jubilee program LIVE and NATIONWIDE, buying debt in communities that have been struggling during the recession….

From this, I can presume they have investigated all scenarios involved. I did write to them to suggest that they clarify the taxable income issue on their main website. One minor personal beef: Using the “The Peoples…” is cliched branding that conjures up lame old leftyism.

Forgiven debt is considered taxable income by the IRS. Does Rolling Jubilee have a work-around for this?

Hi, KoolEarl from Philly here. Everyday reader but rarely comments as one or more of the regulars will echo my sentiments.

I am curious what the discrepancy is between this poll and the recent Public Policy Polling which showed Occupy being held in a more negative light

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/11/occupy-wall-street-favor-fading.html

Why would the bankstas pay these grifters $850,000 when they already have FOX News

I dont think the raids and excessive police force would make a difference. Like it or not, when the storyline was OWS vs the financial elites the public reacted favorably and now that its Occupy vs police/local authorities, things are starting to go south. I personally think outdoor encampments werent going to be sustainable and there should have been plans to move core operations to indoor facilities while maintaining a constant street/public presence (sans the camping).

I dont know about the accuracy of this polling outfit, but it appears like the encampment issues may be starting to override Occupys message.

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/11/occupy-wall-street-favor-fading.html

Good post jane. I was what you would call a late boomer and in 1984 the younger voters went for Reagan even more than the older ones did. There was a palpable shift towards the “whats in it for me?” and “get what you can no matter what” ethos. I think part of this was that once the Reaganoids wrung us through a nasty recession and started stripping safety nets away once jobs came back, what was considered “greed” turned into “self-preservation”. For instance, until the 1980s, no rock band would even consider corporate sponsorship regardless of whether or not they were political/social minded because up until the 80′s it would have been seen a crass and unacceptable. I was one of those tiny amount of late 70′s/early 80′s punk rock kids “screaming at a wall” to my peers about what was happening to the country under Reagan and it was all met with scorn and ridicule from our age group.

I had some fool go off on me at a pub in Philly for supporting Occupy. I later found out that he works a somewhat menial position for Applied Bank (a/k/a Cross Country). So yes, there are plenty of 53% types who depend on the crumbs of the 1% to eke out a living.

Bill Clinton cancels his appearance at Temple Univ in Phila. Would love to say that Occupy Philly scared him off, but it was due to inclement nasty weather

My borderline teabagger brother is now Occupy sympathetic and is now “getting it”. If this isn’t making inroads then I don’t know what is.

Bill Clinton will be at Temple University in Philadelphia this Saturday, so will Occupy Philly

Chalk one up for Occupy Philly as Eric Cantor cancelled a speaking engagement at Wharton on late notice today due to conern about a Occupy led march/protest. What a running dog

Its a uniquely American (lack of) mentality where musicians are looked upon as people “who should get a real job”.