Occupy Reality For a Change

I went to the website of the Los Angeles faction of these “stuck in 1968” wanna-be Occupy Wall Street protesters, and there wasn’t even a clear, prominent statement of what it is they want. Here's a Los Angeles Times article from a few days ago by Tina Susman, much of it about how they are unorganized and haven’t listed clear demands.

How about some specific demands, a long-term strategy, maybe even … office space?

So far the group, which generally defines itself as anti-greed, has none of those.

So, it's really a bunch of whiny crybabies and potheads who, surprise, have a tough time dealing with reality, isn't it?

The protest, which evolved from a network of individuals and groups galvanized by the demonstrations in Egypt last winter, has moved far beyond what it was on Sept. 17, when police barricaded the streets outside the Stock Exchange to prevent a march there to protest corporate greed.

The Egyptians were not protesting corporate greed. These people have a life so good and they don't even know it.

Harried commuters seem to barely notice the mishmash of humanity a few feet away as they rush down the sidewalks skirting the park.

Those are the people who are being productive.

Protest numbers vary as people drift in and out of the park. Some live in the area and come by for a few hours each day or week. Others stay there around the clock, their sleeping bags, guitars and clothing bundles spread on the ground. On Wednesday, they included a sleepy-eyed young man in a rumpled T-shirt cuddling a pet rat, and a woman who pranced about in her underwear.

Not enough circuses.

There are committees, including one for finance, food and comfort, which ensures that anyone who needs blankets, dry clothing or perhaps a hug gets it.

Did they make the clothing and blankets themselves? Or did someone get paid to make them? If someone got paid to make them, do these protesters realize the irony?

There are twice-daily meetings called general assemblies, where anyone can make a brief announcement. The assemblies draw everyone together in a tight huddle. To avoid violating a ban on bullhorns, the crowd obediently repeats in unison every phrase uttered by the main speaker, to ensure everyone hears.

Yes... to ensure that everyone... hears.

On its website, Occupy Wall Street describes itself as a "leaderless resistance movement" drawn from people of all backgrounds and political persuasions.

Resistance to what?

"The one thing we all have in common is that we are the 99 percent that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1 percent," the website says.

What does that mean? Examples???

Signs cited in the story include:

"End financial aid to Israel"

Fine by me, as long as all taxpayer financial aid to foreign countries is ended. In fact, I don't want the federal government giving anyone money unless they are performing a Constitutionally assigned task.

"End greed, end poverty, end war"

You can't end greed. You can’t even do it if you fascists get in control. Poverty is best alleviated through free markets. Want to end war? Go to the terrorists and tell them.

"No death penalty"

I agree on the condition that people first stop murdering.

"Tired of racism."

So am I. Should the NAACP be disbanded? Let's end race-based preferences and race-segregated dorms in higher education.

Don't like the way a corporation is run? You are free to not work for it, free not to invest in it, and free not to buy its goods or services. Don't like corporate influence in politics? Keeping government at a Constitutionally-instructed scope would mean corporations would not be able to get taxpayer funds unduly nor stifle competition. The more we cede power to government and centralize that power in D.C., the easier it is for the wealthy to manipulate the system to their advantage.