In a mindless act one ot the “Occupy Peoria” groups, my term for the “occupy” this or that town from New York to Oakland movement, burned an American flag in another demonstation of their rage. The action probably tipped the scale from a majority of Americans supporting the movement, to opposing it. At its start the movement gained widespread support from a public suffering the reverses of the worse economic downturn since the “Great Depression.” However, since then it has seen its support among the American public steadily declining. The flag burning appears to have turned the movement from a hero to a goat.
The “Occupy Peoria” movement stands in stark contrast to the Tea Party, another movement spawned by our current economic plight. Rather than squander its support the Tea Party has carefully nurtured it and molded it into a formidable factor in our politics. The Republican takeover of the House of Representatives in 2010 was attributed in large part to the Tea Party and its supporters. And while the Tea Party will play a large role in our elections this year, the “Occupy Peoria” movement appears to have been marginalized.
In its passion to ignite a “populist” uprising the “Occupy Peoria” movement appears to have effectively become the “One Percent.” No, not the ”One Percent” super rich who supposedly control the economy, but rather the “One Percent” who are wasting their time in senseless acts that lose support, rathar than rally the support of the general public.
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Leo,
The Tea Party movement has been heavily subsided by Dick Armey’s Freedom Works and other political groups. I certainly acknowledge their political power and their ability to act in lock step to promote their agenda in the House of Representatives. It is an impressive model. But you are wrong to compare the Occupy Movement to the Tea Party.
The Tea Party is not supported “top down.” It is leaderless and is so far has not announced an agenda or even a mission statement. Those who join the movement come from all sectors of our society and have different issues. The beauty of the Occupy Movement is its determination to welcome all and not to imposes any set of values on them. You certainly don’t have to agree with them or support their approach, but you should acknowledge its difference from the Tea Party.
Two other observations:
1) “Burning the American Flag” can be a patriotic act. That is how some of us have celebrated the Fourth of July; not because we were anti-America, but because we did not want a piece of cloth to have a mystical power. It is the Constitution and the Republic, for which the flag stands, that has my allegiance. I am an Army brat and my alma mater is Nurnberg American High School. I have seen the
newsreels of the Nurnberg Flag Rallies. Never again.
2) One of the dangers, always, with political organizations is that they can be infiltrated by agents provocateurs who will act in ways to bring discredit to the organization. Also, open political organizations almost always attract the fringe element who may be far more radical than the main stream members of the group.
Joey
I believe you meant “Occupy Movement” not “Tea Party” in the opening of your second paragraph. Burning the flag is a visible rejection all that the flag stands for, e.g. the Republic and the Constitution. I oppose burning anyone’s flag.
Leo,
Thank you for picking up my mistake in the second paragraph.
I did mean to reference the Occupy Movement and not the Tea Party.
As to your First Amendment protect opinion:
“Burning the flag is a visible rejection all that the flag stands for, e.g. the Republic and the Constitution.”
I disagree with your opinion, however, I would fight to protect it.
My right to burn a flag is also constitutionally protected. Such action reflects my believe that flags and other symbols should not be endowed with mystical significance.
Except, of course, for Denver right now; the Denver Broncos are going to the playoffs; a totally unbelievable event, that is attributed completed to the fact that everyone in Denver is wearing orange. I believe that we are required to wear orange right through Sunday, next. I would not dare deviate.