Occupy Wall Street -- just venting

[PamNY]

My comments aren't political at all. I haven't made any comment about OWS, outside of complaining about their timing and describing that I was frightened by one of their marches (we didn't know the police were allowing them to march without a permit). I simply think it's interesting to observe.

As far as change and personal responsibility, this is the residential neighborhood most affected by 9/11. We are familiar with both change and personal responsibility. Having the World Trade Center collapse directly across the street from your home is a superb example of change; in fact, offhand, I can't think of a better example.

Restoring small, human things like the farmer's market after 9/11 was a real struggle. The market has huge symbolic importance to us because of that, and we don't take it for granted. If residents stepping up and making sure the market is okay isn't personal responsibility, I'd like to know what is.

I just got a forwarded email from the farmer's market manager saying that while business is down, overall OWS is being respectful of the market -- do you think there's any chance that repeated reminders from people like me have helped with that?

As far as personal responsibility, the people negotiating with OWS are unpaid community volunteers. If speaking with OWS about issues like noise from their drum circle isn't personal responsibility, what is? They honestly didn't know there was a residential community and were somewhat responsive to our concerns. They now are distributing written guidelines to new arrivals about being respectful of people who live here. How is it not personal responsibility to effect that change?

If I were going to make political comments, they would be about the fact that the noise and disruption aren't anywhere near the neighborhoods where the rich and powerful live. There is absolutely no chance that would be tolerated. Marching across the Brooklyn Bridge does nothing but inconvenience ordinary working people. Marching on Fifth or Park Avenues would be a whole different story.

I thought it would be okay to talk about the practical side of the situation here, but obviously not, so I won't post anymore.