You must be having trouble connecting to peers. This could be several things, here are two common problems.
1. Check to make sure the client (bitcoin software) is a newer version, 0.3.24 or later should work fine. Older versions may not find peers to connect to. 
This has happened to me. To fix it you can download a newer version (Note that version 0.4.0 or later will not allow you to go back to an earlier version due to wallet encryption), or you can find a "legacy node" that still hosts old versions of the client.

2. Check to see if your firewall/anti-virus is blocking traffic. Since you have downloaded some blocks, I'm assuming this has worked for you at some time.
If you are being blocked you will need top follow the procedure specific to your software. Most filtering software requires you to identify programs you do not want restricted.

In any case, don't worry about loosing your BTC. Once recorded in the blockchain they will wait forever until the wallet with your receiving address appears online. If it is not one of the problems mentioned above, post in this thread and we can try some other things.  I suspect it is the first one.

Before receiving your bitcoins make sure your blockchain is updated. This could take hours if you have never done it before. Just start the bitcoin software and wait. you can see your progress at the bottom of the software.  Near the end of this process your bitcoin will show up with 0 confirmations. Once the block is fully downloaded you will see the confirmations come in.

1. obtain bitcoins. You can buy via an exchange or even in person. The seller will send it to a bitcoin address you give him.
2. open the bitcoin client and let it update the block chain. Then obtain the address of the person you want to send to. fill in the address field and the amout field, then hit send and your done.

Could this be a reaction to Tea Party politics? One thing I learned from the tea party is that you do not have to be reasonable or sensible to get power in politics. Perhaps that is why everyone is saying "No compromise!"

We have a bitcoin presence at many of the occupy rallies around the U.S. and world. FeedTheProtest and others are accepting BTC donations. Are we sure it is not getting attention?

How long will it take for bitcoins to reach $100.

a. 1 min.
b. 1 day
c. 5 days

Why even bother asking 

On Oct.15, people at occupymadison will hear about it in Wisconsin.

Well, I remember when it happened. I don't trade at Mt.Gox, so I don't know about that. Where I trade the price was only high for about 1 day, and most of the $30+ offers turned out to be paypal chargebacks.

So, no bicoin hooliganism. 

As a side note, I don't think bitcoin ever really reached $32. I know there were some legitimate sales at that price, but that was during a frenzy when scammers were offering high prices using paypal. Since they never intended to pay they could offer $30+.

 

It's painful to have bought at $14. As an investment vehicle, bitcoin is extremely risky asset. With large potential for upside gains and downside losses. You may still see profits in the future, especially after production is cut in half in 2013.

For others thinking about buying bitcoin, consider using it as a currency instead of an investment. The real power of BTC is fast, private buying/selling between regular people. Getting rich quick is only rarely going to happen in finance.   
P.S. I won't tell my wife either, just in case our wives talk. 

Why do we talk about being "saved" by a corporation? That's like waiting around for a "job creator" to rescue you. Bitcoin does not need any help, if it did, it would have no merit.
The price of bitcoins is irrelevant. If they are $100/ or $.01/, they are just value place-markers. Are nickels a failure because they are only worth $.05?     

It would be hard for anyone to a make an argument about bitcoin's failure.  I have use it as money many times.

Since this is an organic and spontaneous event it should not be a surprise that they have no articulated demands. 
My guess is that more established lobby groups will try co-opting the movement with their own agendas. Like what happened to the tea party on the right.

First of all, thanks for this.
I was able to add this PPA and install without a problem using Ubuntu 10.10. However the repository has version 0.3.24 of the client. Any plans on updating this to version 0.4.0?

Oh I'm not complaining. I believe in capitalism. Although I think corporate America has to much influence within the government right now.  They are not "evil", just heartless; Which is their right.   

An even more frightening prospect IMO. 

Bitcoin sent! 

Sent 1BTC.
Don't send it back to me. Get the job done.

I'll be handing out bitcoin material and buttons starting Oct. 15 in Madison Wisconsin.
We will be representing the 99% of people who are not rich, and showing our support for our brothers gathering on Wall St. Here in Wisconsin we have already thrown out two of our politicians and Gov. Walker is next. Join us as we take back our government.