Occupy What?

So, it's time to have another heart to heart about Occupy.  I'm still in favor of this movement, more so everyday as it continues and branches out. I have nothing but love for those who physically block evictions with the whole "Occupy Our Homes" subset.

That being said my love affair with the District of Columbia has seen better days. There are things about the District that truly only can happen here. I feel like I have few conversations about the legitimacy of Occupy outside of the beltway because people on the outside get it, they maybe for it or against it, but there is an understanding of it.  In the District it is entirely different, and I can only attribute it to the narcissism that is rampant here.  Even those who should get it don't.  I have classmates and colleagues completely baffled by the idea of a leaderless movement, clearly they don't read scifi the way I do...or they'd know leaderless is the way to go, no one to imprison or kill.  I had far too many discussions last semester as to this very subject.  My classmates desired something simple and clearly defined.  Perhaps that's where the divide lies, I like my revolutions messy without blood shed.

Regardless, let's talk about violence.  In DC on Sunday, the police tased a Occupy DC participant. All onsite accounts claim the guy wasn't even resisting, which wouldn't surprise me, not because I think DC police tase people for no reason, but because  non-violence resistance is lesson 101 of participating in protests. At this point they are preparing to evict at McPherson Square.  The Occupiers have erected a seriously large tent, which looks pretty cool if you've seen the images.  Additionally, see Oakland.  Do I really have to say more? I'm becoming increasingly concerned about the level of violence repeatedly being shown in Oakland.  At present the police are claiming that Occupy Oakland is preventing and diverting police attention from actual police calls. Well, here's an idea leave the protesters alone and do you're job, you'd think they were Congress.  Personally, I think it is garbage. Legitimately, there has been vandalize and violence from protesters in Oakland, which makes this unfortunate.  However, I'm not sure we can expect anything else as long as they are met with violence back, additionally, the structure or lack there of in the Occupy movement prevent anyone from being evicted from the movement.  Which I have mixed feelings about given the reported sexual assaults.