Coming to Some Consensus
There are different rivers running to this delta right now - the disadvantage of asynchronous communication. It's important, however, to focus on the confluence suggested by these rivers of thought.
1) I do think the term "occupy" is not a good one, and if the movement evolves, as I hope it does, this should change.
2) Pain, loss and violence have already begun, whether or not it's at the protests or it's the many injustices and indignities we will never see or know of that have come about as the rich most certainly have gotten richer and the poor poorer. Some of us know people who are losing their homes, in medical bankruptcy, making choices between food and medication, working minimum-wage jobs, not working, not surviving. This battle started a long time ago, and there have long been casualties.
3) We all desire social and economic justice/equality, positive momentum and the opportunity for all to survive and thrive. We are looking for a greater semblance of balance in a system that feels increasingly imbalanced.
So let's agree on the larger points and allow ourselves to respectfully disagree on the some of the finer points for now. I believe these too will work out in time.
If we do not have solidarity here, I can assure we will not be effective against a formidable opponent that has absolutely no interest in giving up the power it has so well accrued.
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