Can we Occupy the 'middle ground'?

Again, the DU is making me think. I have gone for too many years trying not to and I am really glad I wandered back here. I just checked out the thread about the pictures that would end the Occupy movement. The 48-year-old mother of two in me was disheartened. A large part of me has a hard time thinking that vandalism and flag burning is going to help the cause any. My gut reaction is that behavior like this hurts way more than it helps. This just gives those against the Occupy movement something to get their fingernails under. And they are going to start peeling away with a vengeance.

But there is another, secret part of me that is hidden a little deeper that wants to stand up and shout, "HELLS YEAH!!"

I am torn between wishing the Occupy movement could avoid being labeled and blown off as just a bunch of trouble makers with nothing better to do and feeling that some things aren't changed through polite and civil disobedience. I imagine that all big movements of change have had their more, shall we say, passionate members. And changes have occurred in spite of those members (possibly) over the top actions.

I think that possibly, while it goes against the heart of what Occupy stands for, it is time for this movement to begin to coalesce, evolve and to designate a few spokespeople. People who could speak for the movement and say things to help ameliorate the gut reaction of the majority of Americans. Because the problem here is that left or right, most Americans are rule followers. And all movements need support to stay alive. Events like those that occurred in Oakland will tamp down broader support for the movement.

I don't think of this as searching for the 'middle ground'. This is searching for solid ground.