When in the Course of human events...

[bluesbassman]

it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Oakland California, October 2011

[lunatica]

1. There is the essence of what OWS is doing this for

Right there, in easy to understand writing.

[bluesbassman]

2. Absolutely. It's NOT about money.

It's about the fact that the 99% have been effectively shut out of the most fundamental elements of the principles that this country was established on. It's not that I envy or resent the wealth accumulated by the 1%, it's that I resent that their money has been allowed to corrupt our system to the point that the government feels compelled to use brute force to subdue protest and dissent.

[pacalo]

3. Exactly. When did fairness become a radical idea?

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. This is the scary part

People are radicalized. I have never felt that energy in any other demonstration.

[tblue]

6. This is Civil Disobedience

We've been way too obedient. No more. Not until we right this ship of state.

[tblue]

5. That picture.....I feel like I've been punched in the gut.

How do they sleep at night? Good post. Our Founding Fathers would be proud of OWS.

[bluesbassman]

10. I felt the same way. It's sickening that some of the cities involved are taking this approach.

I expected more from Oakland.

[Major Hogwash]

7. I hope that cop has a good retirement plan.

Because we paid for it!!

[izquierdista]

8. Ya know......

When the new government is looking for a place to cut expenses, I would suggest looking at the loot the old government dished out to their enforcers.

[Dystopian]

9. KandR Thank you.

peace~