Occupy. What's not to like?

In this photo, the Occupy Wall Street community is shown celebrating Thanksgiving with an "open feast" at Liberty Square in New York. They are emphasizing unity and community as they share food, stories and inspiration. Their "guest list"? None other than the "global community, invited to break bread with us."  


Let's hear from Megan Hayes, an organizer with the Occupy Wall Street Kitchen and a former high-end chef. "This is all about supporting the 99% ... so many people have given up so much to come and be a part of the movement because there is really that much dire need for community. We decided to take this holiday opportunity to provide just that – community." 


And tomorrow they are kicking off the Christmas shopping season with a "Buy Nothing Day" on November 25 and 26. 


What? How dare they not shop on Black Friday? Someone needs to stop them! How utterly un-American. What a dangerous bunch of anarchists!


No, what I actually mean is, "What a concept!"


I did some reading this morning after the brined and stuffed turkey was safely in the oven and the sweet potatoes peeled, cubed, and marinating in some olive oil and seasoning. While I was doing that, I was thinking that I am glad to be among all of you on this Thanksgiving Day, whether we are physically near or just close in thought or friendship or simply by dint of DNA.


Amazingly, my mind and heart were filled with gratitude for what I have, even if I am teetering on the brink of a permanent well-below-the-poverty-line, no-health-insurance, no-income-to-speak-of situation. I have the things that really matter: reasonably good health, friends, family, a growing faith, a wonderful church and an open-minded community in which to live. Trust me, I had no thoughts of revolution, marching in the streets, or the secret overthrow of the government. But I did stop to say a prayer for all of those without the things that really matter, whether they are rich or poor.


Because I have finally just turned off the television permanently and listen to music of my choosing rather than the radio -- and no longer do I read newspapers, knowing all but our local, free newspaper and Shepherdstown's "Good News"paper are owned by mega-corporations that spew out their version of "news" -- I am woefully out of touch and don't know which football teams have better records, who won the last "American Idol" competition or which country is bombing its neighbor. Fighting my way through depression required that I turn off the spigot that gushes a stream of trivia, sensationalism, and a mind-numbing and constant picture of despair and tragedy.


But not to have heard of "occupy" would require one to live under a rock. So I looked it up, read a lot of articles, got a bigger picture. What is all of the fuss about, I wondered. I was expecting a disorganized group of rag-tag, disenchanted people ranting about the profits of Wall Street, and my heart was with them, but I wondered what's new in that? I've felt that way as long as I can remember.


What I learned is that I am a wuss and a weenie for staying here in this comfortable house and not joining the protests. I mean, what's not to like? According to Bloomberg Businessweek, protestors want more and better jobs, more equal distribution of income, bank reform, and a reduction of the influence of corporations on politics. This is the chutzpah that people are decrying, that is getting these protesters labeled as "anarchists," causing them to be tear-gassed, injured by police riot squads, leading to one woman's miscarriage and a veteran's injury? Huh? Are segments of our population so threatened by hearing the truth that they are in favor of punishing these protesters for exercising their First Amendment Rights to free speech and freedom of assembly?


I don't want to ruin anyone's Thanksgiving with more of this diatribe, but there will be another blog about this "Occupy" movement, and I'd welcome having others on (or off) the Rock address it. Because I'm feeling like I want to go back and hide under a rock of my own if this is now considered anti-American and something that is tearing at the very fabric (read "money and power") of our society.

For today, I'm going to focus on all that I have to be thankful for, and that list now includes those people who are out there "occupying" while I'm tending to the turkey and waiting for the Falters to arrive (sadly, without Beth who is sick today).


"We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing...."