[Vision2020] Political Protests Do Make a Difference

[Ted Moffett]

I was also dismayed with the Daily News editorial in question, and
considered responding somehow, but some of the "apathy" London references,
on a personal level, apparently got in the way...

London expressed very well some of my thoughts on this matter.

Thanks!
------------------------------------------
Vision2020 Post: Ted Moffett
On Mon, Oct 17, 2011 at 6:06 AM, Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:

>  Courtesy of the Letters section of today's (October 17, 2011)
> Moscow-Pullman Daily News with a special note of appreciation to Bill
> London.
>
> ------------------------------
> Political protests do make a difference
>
> *Posted: Monday, October 17, 2011 12:00 am*
>
> I have two basic disagreements with the Daily News editorial of Oct. 11
> about the nationwide Occupy Wall Street movement.
>
> The first involves the widening gap between rich and poor in this country
> that you note in the editorial. Agreed. The rich are getting much richer.
>
> Where your editorial comes up empty is in the explanation. You summarize:
> "something has happened in the past few years."
>
> Something has happened? That bland and boring nonanswer is part of your
> theme of sharing the responsibility for our economic mess. You might as well
> say that it is everybody's fault and nobody's fault.
>
> The truth is that the widening gap between rich and poor is the result of
> decades of collaboration between the uber-rich to further their selfish
> short-term interests. The rich have set agendas, hired lobbyists, bought
> politicians, and pumped in money to shift power to corporations. The
> widening income gap in the U.S. did not happen by accident.
>
> My second disagreement is with your assessment of the impact of mass
> political protests. You say that there really is not much to be done because
> "screaming from the sidelines does little good."
>
> With that in mind, it becomes clear that you have lost faith in free speech
> and in the triumph of ideas. You have surrendered to apathy and resignation.
>
> The protesters who are putting their lives on the line at one of the Occupy
> Wall Street sites are courageous and committed. What they need are ways to
> share their message with the people who are suffering from the economic
> shift in our country.
>
> Which reminds me: maybe you could report on their plans and ideas instead
> of just ignoring them? How about your newspaper getting back into the
> business of informing people? Stop breeding apathy.
>
>  Bill London, Moscow
> ------------------------------
>
> Seeya round town, Moscow.
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
> "Honest and true,
> As the morning star.
> Vote for just two,
> Ament and Lamar."
> [image: image.jpeg]
>
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