When the Occupy Wall Street protests began, I thought the idea might have some merit. The first few news reports I heard interested me. I listened. I smiled. I even agreed with most of the early statements about corporate greed, joblessness, and class disparity.
I was impressed, as the cause spread. It gained momentum, jumped the Atlantic even, and made headlines. Politicians were responding, at least in words. The president admitted he could not ignore them. That is the power of a "movement".
But, the novelty has worn off for me. I've lost respect for the cause and for the protesters. As one of the 99%, I can assure you that they do not speak for all of us. In fact, they have become, for me, quite a sore subject.
Now before any of you get your feathers ruffled, believing me to be a member of the unyielding right, let me say that I am a securely grounded independent (maybe something of a minority here in the NW). Both sides seem too extreme to me at the moment, at each others' throats like spoiled little kids fighting over the rights to the neighborhood sandbox.
So, what, may you ask, turned my opinion? Well, that's easy...the protesters themselves. After listening to dozens of soundbites and video clips of occupiers who could not intelligently state their reason for being there, I have begun to question their motives. By their own admission, several of the "leaders" of these various encampments have had to explain to "campers" why they are there and what their purpose is. I wish I had the luxury of time that some of these protesters have (although, I'm sure I can think of countless better ways to spend it).
And when it comes right down to it, the cause is not really a cause...it's a mass of complaints aimed at multiple sources. There is no real point other than to gather and gain attention, which, in itself, might not be a bad thing. The problem arises, however, when the "campers" become "squatters" and start to wreak havoc on the environment: noise, human and animal waste, illness, drugs and alcohol, inappropriate behavior, in-fighting, violence and an all-around pervading nose-thumbing at anything that attempts to tell them they can't do what they are doing.
I don't believe anyone has told the occupiers that they don't have the Constitutional right to protest. But they don't have the right to be assholes. And believe me, one or two asshole protesters, just like one or two overly-aggressive cops, can destroy the reputation of the whole "movement". Maybe the organizers should be more choosy about who they let join up (though I guess that would defeat the purpose of an open-protest).
The thing that upsets me the most isn't the protest itself, it's the media that has followed them and the reaction of the people who aren't there. The eruption of out-of-context video footage making the police look like the bad guys, the viral he-said-she-said bickering over who has the right to do what and when. It's all enough to make me tired.
Ultimately, while a protest such as this might not be a bad way to gain initial attention, it has to be backed up with something more substantial, and it has to find a focal point...a real purpose and direction...to make any kind of lasting political impact.
Class warfare is just that: warfare. And violence is an ironic answer here (Guy Fawkes is an inappropriate icon to have chosen since it represents the violent overthrow of a government - maybe these kids should do a little historical research before they rely on a graphic novel or a movie for guidance in changing the world). Rioting in the streets does send a message, but I don't think it is the message the protesters want. When they start attacking each other, lashing out at nearby businesses and residents, and taunting and threatening the police who are simply there doing their jobs...they cease being a voice for the majority and start being a pain in the ass.
It's time for the protesters to go home and take their mess with them. And while they're at it, maybe they could shower, do a little more research on their own cause(s), and make a real, continuing impact by voting, flooding the e-mail and voice-mail boxes of their local and state politicians, and organizing a political party of their own.
But then, that would take more work than camping in the local park and holding a sign.
On a side, but related, note...I find it amusing that they blame Wall Street for the state of the union, rather than the people who govern it. Seems a little misguided. It doesn't do any good to blame the financial mechanism but ignore the political machine that is behind it. However...that is a whole different conversation.
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