Why I support Occupy Wall Street

People support the movement from various originating points. I was present for one night of occupation. I only speak for myself. This is what motivates me to demonstrate:
1. The level of poverty in our country is an outrage. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty at Columbia University, 42% of children in America are in low-income families. Poverty reduction should be a priority in our civic debate.
2. Moneyed interest are too powerful in our elections. The Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision guaranteeing civil liberties to corporations is offensive to democracy. “Corporate Person-hood” should be abolished, perhaps by an amendment to the US Constitution.
3. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places are too expensive, wasteful of human life and counter-productive to our security. The causal link between our wars and our fiscal crisis should be known. The United States should withdraw quickly.
These three causes, (poverty reduction, abolishing corporate person-hood and ending wars) are the reasons I support the occupations. Each person involved has a reason and a story. Every single person is worth listening to, and anyone can do so by coming to the demonstrations. Take care!

What was taking so long

They weren't speeding in. The Moravian quarter of Winston-Salem was festooned hopefully with a banner and buntings to congratulate the North Carolina Women's Fireman's Bicycling Association New York to Charlotte 9/11 Remembrance Race , or other string of adjectives. The old white church was the end point for this stage. Two dozen people were there, standing. Her car was packed. She was ready to go, but she stayed.

It had the atmosphere of an 8 year old's birthday party before the pony arrives. It was going to awesome, maybe. She attached to the end of the crowd. An 8 year boy continued talking, but now looked at her; where they were coming from, when they were coming, how they were, how fast he once rode his bike and the sounds the baseball cards made in his spokes. It was getting contagious.

She didn't know why she was staying. She had seen Leif and it was a long journey back to New Jersey, through Delmarva and all. He could have done something. Taken her out to lunch, or ice cream, or a drive. He looked like he used to look hung over. He definitely looked strung out but he said it was the kids who kept him up, and he had been working hard that week. Of course it never occurred to her to call ahead to tell him she was coming, so he could plan for it maybe, or tell his wife at least. They used to hate those sort of middle class manners. Later on, when she had kids of her own, she would know better, but then she also wouldn't hit the road ever.

The boy was starting to wonder what was taking them so long. . . .

Impressions of retreat at Eastern Point

Upon this shoreline on the pound-
ing sea between
the graying grass
and mansions,

red ripples on the snow reflect
our starting sun's tour,
new on the
horizon.

Dawn daying on the dark
of shadow shines
in colors crossed
and crowded,

clear in the glaring sky
from storms former
night known
and now

no longer. Morning's moment
speaks of geese
and seagulls call
their gatherings,

and we alone as well do wander
out among to meet as might
we may
our meaning

found dimly in the fingertips
that gripped this rock
and faintly in the feet
that trod

this ground among the souls who've sought
their god.