What If The Bullet Were Real?

A man filming a police line at the Occupy Oakland protest was shot by police with a rubber bullet, although he provoked no one and was given no warning.

No doubt, city officials and police forces are challenged by the Occupy Movement to strike a delicate balance between ensuring public safety and protecting the rights of all of us, but when that fine line is trod all over by a pair of jack boots, the authorities do themselves no favors.

As I watched the clip below, I wondered - what if the bullet were real? What would the unprovoked police shooting of a protester, presumably armed with only a video camera, say about the state of our democracy? Are we one poor decision away from witnessing a bizarre Tiennamen-style showdown in the U.S.?

It wasn't a real bullet this time, but with so little organization in the Occupy Movement, and with thousands of frustrated and overworked cops interacting daily with teeming hoards of tired and angry protesters, the opportunities for a tragic mistake are mounting. Keep your wits about you, America.

This is a chilling and sobering scene.

Viewing Tip: Click the title bar at the top of the clip to view in a larger window.

30 Giant Companies Paid No Taxes - Should We Burn Something Down?

Like most people I am shocked and dismayed by today's report that thirty of the nation's largest companies paid no income tax for the last three years. This news is aggravating and at the same time fascinating, especially when juxtaposed against recently announced tax reform plans from Herman Cain and Rick Perry, both of whom claim our corporate tax rates are so amazingly high that they are killing job creation. 

It's hard to know what to do with the kind of anger I feel, but I'm growing more certain that the Occupy Movement, as it stands now, might not meet my needs.

Should I camp out in a public park in downtown San Francisco? 

Nah, it's rainy out, and besides, I'm not so clever with the sign-making.

Should I head over to join the protest at the port in Oakland? 

Honestly, my graffiti skills are rusty and lighting shit on fire is not my style. 

Maybe I'll just publish this ridiculous news about corporate tax rates in a snarky blog post? 

Doesn't make me seem too cool, but it seems reasonable. Just not sure it will matter....

...Then again, I'm still not sure the Occupy Movement will make much difference either.

The Fine Line of "Occupy" Protests

"Occupy" Protesters' Encampment in Oakland

I believe in the First Amendment. I believe in Free Speech. I believe in the right to assemble and protest. I believe that corporate greed has taken short-term gains that put a long-term hurt on the American economy, and on the American middle class. I believe we must do something to ensure we don't let an unchecked financial sector continue to wreck our nation. I believe an effective protest movement must make people uncomfortable and cause inconvenience.

And...

I believe state and local governments are charged with keeping the peace and ensuring public safety. I believe the Occupy movement lacks the kind of structure and leadership that might make it more palatable to cities and to the general public. I believe Occupy protesters have a mixed bag of motivations, and while many are genuinely committed to an important cause, others are simply seizing a convenient moment to be public fuck-abouts. I believe protests don't have to have unsafe and unsanitary conditions to be effective.

In light of the news that cities around the nation are losing patience and beginning to crack down on Occupy protester encampments, I find myself with surprisingly mixed emotions. Despite the fact that I fully agree with the overall message of the movement, I would not likely choose to participate in the style of protests I see portrayed in cities around the country. I want to participate but I'm not sure how. I think if this movement is going to have a worthwhile impact, then it is incumbent on the Occupy "leaders" to find a way to inspire more ordinary middle class people to join them, and the movement must develop meaningful ways for those of us who are not able or willing to camp in public spaces to contribute.

What about you?