I want to do something about this.  Images like this, and the articles, videos, and pictures of the man shot in the head with the gas canister, are deeply disturbing and sickening to me.  I want to repost all of it and spread awareness…. but I don’t know what good could come of it.  

If someone can explain to me why my outrage, and yours, is helpful, then I will know what to do next.  Right now, though, I’m feeling lost and helpless, much like I feel when I think about people at war, or having war happen to them… or a natural disaster, an oil spill, hunger, disease, rape.  Can you tell what I can do, other than feel pissed off?

Some of you will say “stand with them and hold a sign,” but I just can’t do that right now…  In my life, family absolutely comes first, and we have too many projects and routines to follow; not to mention my own fears of ending up looking like this lady or getting hit by a flash grenade.  That would not serve my family well.  

I’m working from the backlines, I suppose.  I’m reading what I can and we’re doing our part to not support the bad guys.  I pass along information that I find helpful, as I see it.  I emotionally support those who are standing outside and who are potentially in danger.  But there is only so much energy I can give to the cause when my daughter comes to me with a scraped knee, and it’s time to put a bandaid and a kiss on it.  I hope that the rest of the 99% understands why I’m only Occupying my Laptop.