Occupy The Courts - A Conversation with Lawrence Lessig and Chris Hedges

On January 20th, occupiers across the country rallied together in protest against the insidious influence of the corporations over the judiciary. Shortly before the rally in Foley Square, New York CIty, Lawrence Lessig and Chris Hedges met in front of Occupy TVNY's cameras to discuss their vision of change.

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[abilityoflove]

This is not about left and right, it is about what is moral and what is not. It is not moral to exploit people and limit their freedom so that few can feel “successful”. It is not moral to reduce all individuals as well as institutions to the salesman mentality - human life is not just about buying and selling.

[tensacross]

This is easily the greatest discussion and analysis of the Occupy movement and the current state of America that I've ever seen. I love each of their perspectives and i just wish every American could watch this. And I thank the Occupy media team and OccupyTV for having the foresight to arrange this and put this together. Absolutely great! Power to the people!

[bapyou]

Flog Congress!

[jackthenigger]

Lessig is an intelectual coward. You cant talk your way out of tyranny.

[patmcclung]

Lincoln said [1861]: "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing Government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it."

Lessig is arguing for the exercise of our constitutional right. Chris Hedges says, we're beyond that, and is advocating exercise of our revolutionary right. Both are, like the rest of us, Weary of the existing Government.

[rlunce]

I know they are a leaderless organization because it is that alone that allows them to be co-opted. Protesters have a place and a function and I get that. But every grass roots organization has "advisers" that guide the movement. I also know that protesting leads to inadaquate results, because the results are the minimum necessary "changes" thet satisfies the protesters and benefit the rule makers. And that is my point.

[rosiethebear300]

Ya they have been using the "divide and conquer" strategy against us for centuries! We can use their strategy against them.

[rosiethebear300]

Chris Hedges has got it absolutely right! He is one of the most important and knowledgeable thinkers of our time!

[rosiethebear300]

There are only two ways of affecting the powerful corrupt corporate elite, I,m afraid, hit them in the pocket book in a big way or all out civil disobedience en masse - lets face it -the military and police force have no qualms about hurting and killing people and govt robbing you of your life by indefinite incarceration.Look what they did to J F Kennedy when he threatened to produce govt own money.

[rosiethebear300]

Occupy are the citizens - everyone is Occupy - there is no leader or specific political platform and support all grass roots orgs from local food groups to Unions to CBAN fighting CETA

[juliaactivist2]

In a 38 minute video which is enlightening about the desperate need for change in order to save/establish democracy, it's inexplicable that no mention is made of third parties as a possible road to change. If opinion intensifiers like Lessig and Hedges will not even discuss third party politics, i.e., the Green Party, as a route to change, they essentially help to ensure third party peaceful change will not happen.