Ordinarily I don't mind Bill Ayers. I mean, he's kind a nut and I don't agree with his vision, but I admire his passion for justice and equality. But I think he went too far yesterday when he spoke to a group of Occupy Wall Street protesters. He complained about members of the military being invited to board planes first, using it as an example of how militarized our society has become.
I'll give the quote below -- and I think it's fair to put it in some context. But his words made me sad. As the daughter of an army vet and the sister of a former Marine, I think it's unkind and counter-productive to pit civilians against members of the military -- especially in the name of the 99 percent. Life ain't that simple!
Here's what Bill said:
We are living in a militarized society. That, that, it's clear what the message is from power. The message is that Occupy represents violence, and marginalization and insanity, when in reality it's the 1 percent that represents violence, and insanity, and militarism. We've got a militarized society and it's become so common sense that, getting on the airplane coming out here, the first thing they said was let all the, uh, let all the ya know, uniformed military get on first and thank you for your service. And I said as I always do: let's let the teachers and nurses get on first and thank them for their service. I mean, why is it that everything military has got to be good and everything that has to do with actual work, real work, not jobs, real work for people, that stuff gets discouraged and marginalized?
Sigh. It's offensive for so many reasons. Military work is REAL work -- it may be work your political philosophy supports, but it's still work. And it supports many families. Not only that, it's not like military families always get special treatment and live a charmed life. Many are struggling -- just like the rest of the 99 percent. We're all in this together. Should we let the teachers and nurses on first, too? Sure, I like that idea. Let the uniformed military, teachers, and nurses all on first together.
Not to mention, when you see a service man or woman at the airport, chances are they're either leaving their families or returning to them after a long absence. Geez, have a little sensitivity!
For all we know, Bill might have made some much more inspiring and thoughtful remarks yesterday. But it's that petty complaint about letting military personnel board first that has people talking today, and that's too bad. Think of the vets who have stood up to defend Occupy Wall Street protesters.
However you feel about America's military spending or our foreign policy, Bill needs to remember that these are real people he's talking about. Nurses, teachers, soldiers -- all make sacrifices and work for what they believe in. We all have more in common than not.
Do you think Occupy Wall Street protesters and military families might actually share some values?
Image via 1/25 Styrker Brigade Combat Team/Flickr