Catherine Ford failed to capture the ethos of the occupy movement, while demonstrating a galling lack of understanding of the groups priorities. Fords intellect and track record did not translate well to her opinion piece. She writes that nobody camping in various parks and public spaces can articulate anything beyond some fatuous drivel about representing the 99 percent of the people. Her advice is for them to take their heads out of their own bums long enough to look around Has she ever set foot in any of the protests? Would anyone in the movement take her fatuous advice seriously? Occupy Wall Street began in New York City. Everything communicated by the movement happens by consensus. Their use of the human microphone is inspiring. No one, including those of great stature who have attended, bully their way to the front of the microphone. Final authority is in the hands of the entire group, with no one excluded, and all given the chance to speak. Most opinion polls have identified a majority supporting occupy. Some occupy specific ideals can be found by searching for the Liberty Square Blueprint. They stand for things like putting people and the Earth before profit, ending wars, helping the poor, and reducing corporate influence on politics. The occupiers and the blueprint are about asking the right questions. Questions like, How will we free our media to place truth before advertising? And, How will we emancipate ourselves from centralized financial systems?. Articulate, informed, and passionate people inundate occupy movements throughout the world. Does Catherine Ford get it? She startlingly claims that the Occupy movement is largely silentand unfocused. Shes willing to ram her opinion down your throat, and doesnt want you to thank her for it. Just clean up after yourselves she says. A strong argument can be made that every human rights movement has been dirty. Rights movements face fierce opposition and violence and yet arise, often from the ground, despite injustice. Power is never given up easily. Any rights movement of the past has been born as a result of violations. Bertrand Russell reminded us to not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once considered eccentric. Before speaking for Occupy or characterizing it, one should get to know them.
Josh Cranston