Consider this rambling blog post a companion to the more succinct and well-thought out post by Graham Stinnett here and and P.R. Potyondy’s musings here.
What is the value of protest? With the rise of the Tea Party, the nationwide spread of the Occupy movement, protests overseas in Britain and the Middle East, the spectacular responses to anti-union legislation in Wisconsin and Ohio, and much more, this has been a year where the topic of protest has trickled up from those in the streets (Wall Street, Main Street, etc) to those at cocktail parties or at dinner tables. Time magazine named “The Protestor” as its person of the year. Much of the talk I’ve been privy to among well-meaning liberals like myself discussing Occupy Wall Street and the related efforts across the country simultaneously lauds the political grievances voiced and critiques the actual protests themselves. This seems to mirror the ways in which news media covers the protests – a segment on the faltering economy or the governmental moves to winnow away workers’ rights and financial gains followed by a piece that highlights the Occupy movement as one that seems to lack a focused aim. Continue reading
"...and worth the fighting for..." 