It wasn't an Agent Provocateur

[Nuclear Unicorn]

76. Why is reporting what OWS does "shame"?

If what the protsters are doing is shameful maybe they shouldn't do it. People who conduct such antics in public do it for attention, presumably to draw attention to a bigger issue. That's why PETA uses naked models on occassion; come for the boobeez, stay for the message.

Many within OWS have done some pretty stupid stuff trying to gain attention. Then when the PR messaging goes against them it gets even more stupid with claims that agent provacateurs (AP) are running around in their midst. Now we have this OP showing that those who burnt the flags were egged-on by the crowd. Apparently such a significant portion of OWS is nothing bunch APs so I wonder what the defenders are defending.

I know OWS wants a leaderless movement but unless there are some ground rules that can and will be enforced some bad eggs are going to tarnish the movement. They need to be weeded-out and if stupid people doing stupid stuff makes the news then don't complain. The Tea Party has no right to complain about news stories about racists in their midst until they take affirmative steps to weed them out.

Worse still, OWS's message seems to be, "trust us to point out and correct the injustices of society." Sounds good but it loses a lot when OWS is more interested denying, blame-shifting and messanger shooting over the buffoonery in their own ranks. THAT will harm OWS much further and deeper than anything the OP might try to affect.