I received an email today from someone who did not understand why I was not actively supporting the “Occupy” efforts across the country. I’ve been watching news of these activities with interest. (The real news, not corporate owned media outlets who are NOT reporting it for the most part, and not accurately reporting it for the rest.) A week or so ago I intended to go down and find out for myself what was going on, but work and several family disasters delayed my expedition down there. Probably the same excuse, many of you have for not actively helping in some way or another.
When you consider that the Occupy efforts appear to be a collaboration of committed individuals who have various concerns and complaints, many of which are caused by corporations, politicians, bureaucracy, greedy examples of those with more than most, etc. The problems are social, economic, and political. I can see my reader’s point
These are the same people who are helping to enable corporations and various hands and arms of government that are causing the very situations that are creating whistleblowers. Greed, power mongering, cronyism, influence pedaling, unethical and criminal contracting activities, fraud, waste, abuse, and a host of other ills are examples. Honorable people when confronted by this try to change it, report it, fix it and usually get the stuffing kicked out of them for their efforts in the climate we are dealing with in this country today.
I agree that I should help promote the support of those who have the courage, determination and commitment to go be an active part of peaceful protest in events being staged across the nation. Even if you cannot take part in the sign holding and waving, stop by and talk, find out why these people are down there and what they need to stay well and comfortable. This is especially true in parts of the country that are now turning cold, wet and inhospitable. My reader suggested donating supplies that are so critically needed like, warm coats, gloves, hats, food, especially things that can be cooked or heated under outdoor camping conditions. Waterproof plastic storage boxes, tents, sleeping bags, cooking utensils, first aid supplies, those hand warmer sticks you can buy at sporting goods stores, and anything else that will keep up the volunteer’s spirits and energy.
My reader reported that the Occupy Tacoma (in Washington State, south of Seattle, in a park on Pacific Avenue, downtown, at the cross street with the new bridge across the Puyallup River) is a neat and orderly effort showing a positively motivated cooperative of young and old that demonstrates a stellar example of the best of human effort. They, who are giving the best they can to make a difference and to help the majority of us break out of our complacency and paralyzed condition, deserve our support and help.
When those with wealth and political control, who continue to take and take and manipulate things to the detriment of the majority (working class and poor) in this country are taken to task, and our society balances and rights itself again, we will also be reducing the number of whistleblowers, because there will be less crap and corruption to report, and to fight against in our work places.
Please take time this week or weekend and do what you can for your local “Occupy ____________” effort. If you can report on your local Occupy activities, please comment here on this site; you are welcome to voice your observations and opinions.
As for me, I am going to the coat closet, storage room and pantry right now!
GFS