I often struggle choosing which causes to support. There are so many wonderful things going on in the world, that I came up with a list of criteria that helps me make that decision.
1) Does the cause involve something that I am passionate about?
2) Does the cause have a clear and focused mission?
3) Does the cause provide assistance for those less fortunate?
4) Will my association with this cause demonstrate leadership or not?
5) What is my time commitment?
6) Does the cause have measurable results?
7) Is the cause politically motivated?
8) Who started the cause and why?
9) Do I have the resources available (i.e. Time or Money) to support this cause?
10) Would the mission of the cause bring destruction or enhance the world?
In these volatile times, I must limit my support to causes which help those less fortunate. In my opinion (I think) the 'Occupy' movement is trying to bring attention to the fact that banks made money on the backs of high unemployment, but fails to recognize the factors (I.e. Regulatory changes and bailout) that brought the banks this gain in my opinion. Their mission is very unclear and therefore I beleive destructive. It would be similar to preparing construction documents that informed the contractor to "Build a building, not sure what size or shape, but doggonit I'm going to stay here until it's done and it better be right or I'm going to climb on top of it and take my shirt off because I represent the 99".
As you can see, I don't understand or support this movement, it's goals and mission are quite unclear, unrealistic and I believe destructive. There is plenty world history available (from the likes of Germany, Cambodia, Sudan, etc.) to prove this point. There are too many good things people are doing around the world that deserve my attention and support as a professional. I believe our profession to be a noble one that should focus support on intellegent causes that elevate society.
This cause is most definitely politically motivated as demonstrated by the comments in this forum. This makes the 'occupy' movement even less qualified for support from our profession.
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Gordon Rogers AIA
Architectural Manager
Kitchell CEM, Inc.
Sacramento, CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-27-2011 10:10
From: Clark Buchner
Subject: Should architects support local "Occupy" movements
Any architect that has an inkling of social responsibility should join the "Occupy Movent". This is a rising tide
that simply is not going to be denied. In the French Revolution people were in the streets with pitchforks and axe handles because that is the only way they could arm themselves. Today we have electronic pitchforks and a powerful surge of connectedness that Fox News and all the right wing Reaganomic spouters will not be able to shout down. One never knows exactly what triggers a movement such as this, as the freedom from Arab Spring could have been the genesis in the same way that the American Civil Rights movement helped birth uprisings in Northern Ireland back in the 60's. Like it or not we are a globally interconnected world and this appears to be the dawning of the Noosphere as predicted long ago by Teilhard de charadin. You can bet that this is all being blocked on Chinese monitors, but even oppresssive regimes like that that we are beholden too will eventually fall, as this is much larger and moving on. I encourage architects to join the fun. Just imagine the tarring and feathering of bankers and their ilk and how it could lead to a more egalitarian society. So yes, join the fun of it all and be inventive with your slogans and costumes. What better do you have to do? - Perahaps listen to Republican debates?
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Clark Buchner AIA
Memphis TN
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-26-2011 07:52
From: Eric Rawlings
Subject: Should architects support local "Occupy" movements
I have to politely disagree. The reason the foreclosures happened is because the price of an average house doubled in many places in less than a decade. With wages remaining flat and now going backwards, Americans cannot afford to buy the same house from 10 years ago, no less the same exact thing for double the price. The skyrocketing property values may have been very profitable for builders and bankers, but it was unsustainable, economically speaking. The notion that 20 million Americans just became irresponsible at the same time is the type of stuff "they" want you to believe. In order to get people to buy the same house for 2x the cost with no change in pay, the banks had to put people in exotic loans that the bankers knew their clients couldn't afford. You didn't have to get greedy to lose, just buying the same thing became instantly unaffordable. My uncle quit his job at the now infamous Countrywide because he couldn't stomach knowingly lending people more than they could afford and lying to them about it, which is what his boss required of him. The banks had a responsibility to themselves and their clients not to lend more than they could afford. Of course, I was the guy in 2006 warning all the Architects that this housing bubble was going to destroy the Architectural Profession and I was viewed as the guy claiming the sky was falling. Well it fell didn't it?
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Eric Rawlings AIA
Owner
Rawlings Design, Inc.
Decatur GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-25-2011 08:17
From: Craig Isaac
Subject: Should architects support local "Occupy" movements
I agree-let's help out our communities as much as possible. If the banks had not completely stopped making loans the housing values would not have dropped in an attempt to make sales (regardless of foreclosures) , owners would still have equity and continue w/ improvements. The way it stands now, most are stuck w/ properties that they may have owned for years w/ no or little equity to show for consistent payments.
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Craig Isaac AIA
Architect
Craig W. Isaac Architecture
Charlotte NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-24-2011 02:57
From: Donald Argus
Subject: Should architects support local "Occupy" movements
Hi again David,
Glad to report that Mr. McAdams replied to my previous post to this thread. The upshot is that the AIA has had a co-branded credit card with B of A and its predecessors since 1984 and is bound by the current deal until 2013. He says, "We will likely consider such issues when the contract is up for review in 2013. Thanks for your feedback."
I intend to press our professional association to make a better deal for the membership. If there needs to be an AIA credit card at all, it ought to be through a community-development bank or credit union that creates value for communities and for our colleagues, rather than destroys it - as B of A and other "too-big-to-fail" banks have done.
Best regards,
Don
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Donald Argus AIA
Seattle WA
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