"They encountered almost no resistance as they took down tents in both parks. No tents appear to remain in Lownsdale, and Chapman is also almost cleared.
People remain at the parks but are standing by in stunned silence."
People remain at the parks but are standing by in stunned silence."
The more I think about it, the more ingenious this strategy strikes me. Let the kids party, let them pretend they are redistributing the income, let them pretend they are fighting capitalism, let them carry on and claim victory, and when they go home, walk in and do what needs to be done.
Now where are the kids and other folks who will REALLY fight capitalism? Where is the political vision that can take advantage of this groundswell of popular opinion before it all dissipates into factions of differences.
I bet a lot of bank presidents and corporate CEOs are lighting cigars, seeing how quickly a movement can go off message or become at best impotent symbolism.
Thus far, Occupy Portland is to progressive change as masturbation is to starting a family. I already said that. More than once. But I won't apologize. I think it's true. It's rumored that the truth will set us free.
Heard a typical example of solipsistic logic last night. A protester was being interviewed. A crowd had taken over the street, illegally by the letter, and were not heeding police requests to move. So police approached and pressed against them, trying to move them. (Ends up there were too many and police finally retreated). The protester said the police were CREATING a safety hazard by trying to get folks off the streets. In other words, whatever I do is right, whatever you do or the law says is wrong. When there is a higher moral value in the mix, this can make sense. But I see none here. Certainly the economic issue got lost long ago.
I guess I really am a die hard cynic. This has gone so well so far, but I still think the shit is going to hit the fan -- because I believe a significant number of protesters WANT it to go that way. Eventually the patience of the police will wear out. We'll see.
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