As the temperature drops here and across the northern half of the globe, I take a moment to thank deity for my layers of warm clothing, and send an even stronger wave of kindly thoughts at everyone freezing their ass off on behalf of the Occupy movement. Why, even some reporters are getting outside and cutesy:

Occupy London: my nights with the St Paul’s protesters
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/oct/20/occupy-london-st-pauls-protesters

Firstly, I appreciate this article because it clears up something I was confused about as far as the London protesters were concerned; I didn’t know that the owners of the other park had taken out an injunction to prevent its use. Otherwise, I just appreciate someone attempting to get out in the cold and spend time amongst the folks to get an insider view. It’s not an award-winning piece, but it’s a decent read nonetheless.

And then, there are those getting arrested for walking down the sidewalk:

How I Was Arrested at Occupy Wall Street
http://occupycyberspace.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/how-i-was-arrested-at-occupy-wall-street/

But then:

Why Are Police Attacking Peaceful Protesters? How OWS Has Exposed the Militarization of US Law Enforcement
http://www.alternet.org/story/152812/why_are_police_attacking_peaceful_protesters_how_ows_has_exposed_the_militarization_of_us_law_enforcement/

One thing that I adore about this movement, and will say time and time again is that I think that the way the protesters handle the police is inspirational. It’s very Stranger in a Strange Land – offering love and brotherhood and getting shit-kicked for it; it’s something I identify with all too readily.

I can even understand the plight of those in power – they don’t want to lose their power, influence, and/or money. They feel rightfully threatened, and therefore encourage their tools to respond in an overly hostile manner to try and force the protesters into acquiescence to the status quo that keeps the elite comfortable. Which is why you see the current protests getting beaten, not the justified-in-arms astroturf Tea Party protesters. They do not represent a real threat to the rich and elite; they represent a sadly deluded group who mean well, but are shooting themselves in the foot. But you know what – that’s their call. I could just as well be totally wrong and concede that maybe all the obvious and easy-to-follow facts are in fact false. After all:

Everything The Media Told You About Occupy Wall Street Is Wrong
www.huffingtonpost.com/keith-boykin/occupy-wall-street-media_b_1019707.html

This is just a nice little ticky-list of commonly claimed things about the protest, and the author gently tearing the mis-assumptions apart. And speaking of those:

70% of #OWS Supporters are Politically Independent
http://occupywallst.org/article/70-percent-ows-supporters-independent/

There are those, especially those who want to make it seem a black and white protest (rather than all the glorious shades). While it is only an informal poll taken down from the site and analyzed, it still is a pretty convincing set of evidence about those who are supportive of the protest movement. That jives with my own personal experience – most of my friends interested in and/or participating in the Occupy movement do not identify with either political party. I have seen it said that this is a post-political movement, and I’ll concur. It’s not about one side or the other like an elementary school game of Red Rover. It is about the betterment of society for all, and that’s something good to aspire to regardless of background.

Anyhoos, as it is Friday, I wish you all a fantastic weekend.

<3