A lot is being made of the fact that some Occupy Oakland protesters threw bottles and other objects at the police. Folks on the Right are now comparing all protesters to a bunch of hoodlums, while those on the Left are beseeching protesters not to screw up the movement's peaceful message.
As regular readers know, I am an avowed pacifist. I believe that, regardless of the situation, nonviolence is the way to go. But I also know something else: Most Americans are NOT pacifists. Because of this fact, violence FROM the protesters is bound to occur.
In my mind, there are two factors to consider. First off, we live in a society that glorifies violence. Not only is it prevalent in our various modes of entertainment, but our national policies are predicated on it. We should not forget that 50 cents of every taxpayer dollar goes to prop up our behemoth military-industrial complex.
In recent years, our nation has adopted the policy of "shoot first and ask questions later." We kill thousands of people each year through bombs, missiles, bullets and drones.
So, it should surprise no one that a significant segment of our society views violence as a positive means to exact change. Some of those people are part of the various Occupy groups and, when appropriate situations arise, they will feel justified in meeting the force of the state with a force of their own.
The other factor at play is frustration and desperation. As the economy on Main Street continues to flounder, more people will join the protests in the streets. If the politicians remain unmoved and the police forces become ever more aggressive, some peaceful protesters will begin to strike back in utter exasperation.
Most people I know don't like being hit repeatedly and, at some point, many will feel enough is enough. Aggressive police tactics will push some people over the edge and riots will break out. In those instances, all bets are off.
It should go without saying that many police forces are trying to goad protesters to turn violent. The powers that be want images of violent protesters to flood the airwaves in the hope that this will convince the general public to withdraw their support for the Occupy groups that have sprung up all over the country and across the world.
Protests that turn violent will provide the state with the political cover to become even more violent themselves...to "restore public order."
I'd love to say that I hope that nonviolence wins out. I'd like to believe that most protesters realize that acts of violence on their part would create a no-win situation. But, I also try to be a realist and simply observing human nature tells me that, sooner or later, one group or another is going to respond to state-sanctioned force with force of their own.
From my standpoint, sadly, this occurrence is inevitable.
As regular readers know, I am an avowed pacifist. I believe that, regardless of the situation, nonviolence is the way to go. But I also know something else: Most Americans are NOT pacifists. Because of this fact, violence FROM the protesters is bound to occur.
In my mind, there are two factors to consider. First off, we live in a society that glorifies violence. Not only is it prevalent in our various modes of entertainment, but our national policies are predicated on it. We should not forget that 50 cents of every taxpayer dollar goes to prop up our behemoth military-industrial complex.
In recent years, our nation has adopted the policy of "shoot first and ask questions later." We kill thousands of people each year through bombs, missiles, bullets and drones.
So, it should surprise no one that a significant segment of our society views violence as a positive means to exact change. Some of those people are part of the various Occupy groups and, when appropriate situations arise, they will feel justified in meeting the force of the state with a force of their own.
The other factor at play is frustration and desperation. As the economy on Main Street continues to flounder, more people will join the protests in the streets. If the politicians remain unmoved and the police forces become ever more aggressive, some peaceful protesters will begin to strike back in utter exasperation.
Most people I know don't like being hit repeatedly and, at some point, many will feel enough is enough. Aggressive police tactics will push some people over the edge and riots will break out. In those instances, all bets are off.
It should go without saying that many police forces are trying to goad protesters to turn violent. The powers that be want images of violent protesters to flood the airwaves in the hope that this will convince the general public to withdraw their support for the Occupy groups that have sprung up all over the country and across the world.
Protests that turn violent will provide the state with the political cover to become even more violent themselves...to "restore public order."
I'd love to say that I hope that nonviolence wins out. I'd like to believe that most protesters realize that acts of violence on their part would create a no-win situation. But, I also try to be a realist and simply observing human nature tells me that, sooner or later, one group or another is going to respond to state-sanctioned force with force of their own.
From my standpoint, sadly, this occurrence is inevitable.
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