First of all, I do NOT want to take away anything from the Occupy movement….they are finally taking to the streets and bring some attention and light to the whole economic imbalance that is this country….

But being an old cynic and opinionated SOB there are a few things I would like to say….all the major revolutions started small……and by revolution I am NOT in any way meaning the bang bang shootum up…..I am speaking about change……. REAL change……

Before I continue, let us look at other revolutions…..first, the American Revolution, which was not a real revolution but a rather violent disagreement between the family members that ended up very messy….to my point….it started rather small……a bunch of guys dressed up and raided a ship with tea and dumped its cargo into the bay in Boston harbor…..small.

Next came the French Revolution, in 1787 there was a terrible harvest and the populace had to spend more of their disposable income on food and the demand for other items fell…….the rise of social antagonism began to rise and electoral demands became commonplace….this was a small beginning and a very simple explanation of the beginnings of the revolution….and we know all too well that it took very little time before it turn violent and deadly for so many…..

Now the Russian Revolution…..I am sure well all think we know what happens…..and that it was the result that lead to the communist taking over the government…..I could write a Russian novel length volume of the revolution (if you have ever read a Russian novel you will understand)…..but let us talk about the beginnings of the revolution….WW1 had taken a heavy toll on the people of Russia and there had been all types of governments in place but none had been much success…..and then in February a protest led by women in protest of bread prices started a whole new round of protests that included workers, soldiers, etc….but the beginning of what we call the Russian Revolution was the march of women hunger marchers….it started small….with a world to win!

More recently, what is being called the “Tunisian Revolution” which started the whole Arab Spring…..it began with a small incident…..

Twenty-six year old Mohamed Bouazizi had been the sole income earner in his extended family of eight. He operated a purportedly unlicensed vegetable cart for seven years in Sidi Bouzid 190 miles (300 km) south of Tunis. On 17 December 2010 a policewoman confiscated his cart and produce. Bouazizi, who had such an event happen to him before, tried to pay the 10-dinar fine (a day’s wages, equivalent to 7USD). In response the policewoman insulted his deceased father. A humiliated Bouazizi then went to the provincial headquarters in an attempt to complain to local municipality officials. He was refused an audience. Without alerting his family, at 11:30 am and within an hour of the initial confrontation, Bouazizi returned to the headquarters, doused himself with a flammable liquid and set himself on fire. Public outrage quickly grew over the incident.  And so it began!

Now to the main point of my post…..the Occupy movement started small, basically a hand full of people protesting Wall Street greed in Zuccotti Park in NYC……it started small and grew into a nationwide and now planet wide protest movement….a difference can be made but not at the expense of the movement…

As an aged long hair hippie, pinko commie I am so proud of the American people that they finally feel empowered enough to take to the streets in demand of justice and equal opportunity….they started small…..it has grown into a worldwide protest against those who exploit and enslave……makes my old heart take flight to know that all my bitching in the past has finally been heard and acted on……

All my years of attempting to educate…..(I was NOT alone, there were countless others)…….have , I hope in some small way, helped the American people to find their courage and their voice……

Remember ALL great seasons of change have started small, with a small group of brave people…..you have NOTHING to fear….but failure!  So, keep your eye on the prize……you have a world to win!