I only have a few small nibbles that I wish to offer for consideration today. First is a round-up from the Guardian:

Occupy: we are the world
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/30/occupy-movement-we-are-world

Secondly, some ghastly news out of London:

More baton rounds training at Metropolitan Police
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15957872

While I do understand that British police aren’t their gun-slinging American cousins, I still don’t think more arms are the way to go about it. Based on what I’ve seen here, I think busting out plastic bullets and water canon is only more likely to cause MORE problems, MORE riots, more protests, and you know what? I think they’d totally be justified. But of course, the poor being poor justifies it all, right? Right? Oh, maybe not. *snort*

Many above poverty line struggle to make ends meet
http://news.yahoo.com/many-above-poverty-line-struggle-ends-meet-182749152.html

Now, this one is out of America, but I think it’s a useful thing to consider from the British perspective. After all, the social safety net is being dismantled under our feet, so there is the increased chance of being as bad off as our American cousins. Of course, I think both sides of the pond make a terrible terrible mistake by relying so heavily on credit and falling to the pressure to own Stuff™®. But that doesn’t change the fact that rises in household income are flat, inflation is out of control, and the food markets are screwed to heck by so-called investors. In real terms, the average person has less to spend on the things they need. So of course, it makes perfect sense to militarize the police to keep people in line… not.

Of course, if only everyone were given a chance to matter:

The Power of Occupy Wall Street Is Not Just What They’re Doing, But How They’re Doing It
http://bit.ly/tyDOIR

People matter when you’re working horizontally. Personal responsibility is restored – the buck cannot be passed up or down the chain, inevitably to be lost or altered in that ancient game of Telephone. Truly, this horizontal approach provides that for the people, by the people approach that most claim is so important! It makes so much sense to me and that’s how I’ve always tried to live my life – if something is my responsibility, I get it done. If I mess up, I apologise and try not to blame others. For some reason, this seems to invite people to blame me for everything; after all, if I’m taking responsibility for myself, I must be willing to take responsibility for everyone, right? Nope – I expect you to be the master of your own pants (as one blogger so eloquently puts it). I personally find a sense of satisfaction no iPhone or 3DS could provide in being willing to be the master of my own pants, and I suspect more people would find it edifying if they gave it a chance.

Whatever the case, the Occupy movement is still here and setting rad examples and fighting the good fight. Hopefully the above tangent provides more food for thought, and as always – I’m happy to hear your suggestions for pieces to pass on//discuss. Until next, have a great Thursday!

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