Courtesy Call

They came, they tented, they protested and demanded, and now they depart.

At least they should be making themselves scarce. It has been mandated by law. Fact is they do have certain rights, but beyond that, any extension means they're illegally squatting. Taking up for themselves all the privileges of occupation of wide open (gone the green, coming the white) spaces meant for the entire public to enjoy.

They had a message. Yes, many messages. The cardinal one was received, absorbed, noted. And yes, they're right, that the world is an unfair place. When has it not been? Idealists have always tilted at windmills. For all the good it's done. But that's clearly defeatist and will not do. It is a damn good idea to beat one's metaphorical fists against the bleak prospect of ongoing unfairness.

That there are the well-off - the rich - and those who are ordinary achievers who manage to eke out a life from what they are able to absorb of a nation's wealth, has always been a fact of life. That doesn't make it right, but it does demonstrate that some things never change. Those who have much intend to keep what they have, and to build upon it. For some, there is never enough.

And those who look in from the outside, as the wealthy stuff themselves in expensive restaurants (while their envious tongues hang out in glutinous misery), would dearly enjoy changing places with them. And then, human nature being acquisitive and greedy as it is, they would behave just as the wealthy do.

There are notable exceptions, those who are immensely wealthy who observe a very golden rule. The philanthropists, a grand old tradition of those with conscience using their wealth to benefit all.

They are the supporters of charitable enterprise. They are the illuminati of the rich class who feel an obligation, somewhat akin to noblesse oblige to use their limitless wealth in ways that benefit the entire of society. There are such people. They invest themselves in distributing their wealth through a noble and honourable wish to be responsible.

So, farewell, Occupy. You've done what you could and that's more than enough for now. The consciences of some people have been pricked. Unfortunately, they're the wrong people. Those who empathize with what you've attempted believe you've done well. The skeptics look to the human flotsam you've attracted, the political fanatics, the alcohol-bleary homeless, the drug-addicted, and sigh.

That's the problem of popular protests. They invariably attract anyone with a hatchet ready to split someone's head wide open.

But it's time for you to vacate the premises. To allow clean-up to resume. To permit the public to take back that which belongs to all. To resume your normal lives. To remember to vote in the next election.