Interview with an Occupier

Just like Fox News, I'm fair and balanced. 

In my last post, I did a fake conversation with a handful of folks from the Harrisburg Occupy Movement.  Most of you didn't comment on it.  A few of you agreed with me and some spoke up.

And I was thrilled to know that those I suspected of reading this blog, actually came forward to say "shame on you, Mark".  But I was so happy to have folks actually engage me and even disagree.  If you don't already know, I lean to the Right on a lot of issues.  Don't start with me.  I know how odd it sounds for a Gay man to say that.  But with that said, I'll have you know that I'm actually a Democrat.  However, I only became one in 2007 or 08 during the Primary when I felt the need to vote against Hillary Clinton.  But because of my laziness in not changing back, I remain one, but only on paper.  I'll get back to "normal" soon.  So whatever you have to yell at me about, believe me, Fred is doing that on your behalf.  And as I wrote before, there is no bigger Liberal than a French one.

Jim of Ocean Breezes basically said that instead of just imagining what they would say, to go and sit with them and I might be surprised.  I agree.  My conversation was completely imaginary.  But that's what made it funny.  I never claimed to be speaking the truth and until today, never actually sat down with any of these people from the Movement and to hear them out.

So I responded back to Jim and the others(some emailed me directly) who said that I was being unfair and told them that I would make it a point to meet up with some members of the Movement and try to figure out what they are all about.  Sunday afternoon, I drove downtown to a site that the Movement had sat up along Riverfront Park in Harrisburg.  At first I met up with a guy(not pictured) and introduced myself.  After about 5 minutes, I could tell that he had no information and was simply mad at the world because he is not successful.  He had no facts at all to give me other than to point out how the wealthy should share their money.  I questioned him about what he was doing to try to "make it" and then he got mad at me, called me "Negative" and then walked away.  I then went to find someone else who I knew must know something.  I stumbled across these folks pictured who spent about an hour and a half talking about the Movement.

I took pages of notes and can tell you that I have never felt so unprepared and uninformed in all my life.  By the way, I handed my camera over to one of their friends and directed him to take photos.  Oh yes I did!  He was happy to oblige. Oh my God!  I forgot the most important part.  When I approached these folks, I told them all about my one-sided conversation on my blog, gave them my card(web address and email address).  I told them that I wasn't really on their side but I was open to listening to them and to spread their word.  It's called "honesty", people.  Upon that, they were happy to talked to me.  In fact, they could be reading right now.  And I hope that they are.

I really did feel it was important to share with them like that.  I didn't want them to think that I was "faking" being on their side or that I was a news reporter or something.  You know what, I just remembered something else.  There was a local news crew there filming us while we were speaking.  If I find any clips of myself, I'll post them.  It was WHP by the way if anyone can find me in a clip.

Anyway, as mentioned, I took tons of notes and I have to take my time going through them.  One thing that I did not expect to come out of this meeting was homework.  These guys totally inundated me with information that I now have to research.  Ugh!  I should have initiated the conversation with "I hate learning.  Now please tell me about...."  The poor guys, they thought that they were talking to someone who had at least a basic understanding of the world.  I did let them know that I was quite comfortable in my little suburban bubble.  In fact, they invited me to a rally which is happening as I type here on Sunday night.  They said it started at 7PM and to bring the kids.  "Yeah right", I told them.  "That's when I'm getting the kids ready for bed and plus, there's a new Desperate Housewives on tonight".  I honestly told them that.  They did laugh.  Probably more out of pity but still, I choose to think that they thought I was witty.

But I did try to take in as much info as I could.  And then I went into what I thought they were saying and what I found wrong about their logic.  Listen, I wasn't dealing with dummies here so my argument had to be based on facts, as I knew them.  It was a great debate and we all treated each other with absolute respect.  I am grateful for that.

Okay, I woke up this morning and my entire paragraph that was in this spot is gone.  I don't know where it went to.  But basically, this is what  I wrote last night.  Because I don't want to misquote these folks, I invited them to email me.  The guy seated with me is in some sort of Google Connect something or other.  Anyway, instead of me writing what I think that they are trying to say, I encouraged them to submit to me personal Statements about what the Cause is all about.  This gentleman has my email address and said that he would send the word out for Statements.  My hope is that I can get some Statements to simply copy/paste into a Post for you all to see.  That way, my blog can be their voice.  Even if it's just a whisper.

Andreson Cooper can suck it!

Sorry if this post was a big pile of rambling and typos.  I don't have time tonight to organize it.

Your Friend, m.
"Okay Jim, are you proud of me yet"?