The Boston Herald's Friday Throwdown topic is: Occupy Boston: Rebels or whiners.

We love the idea of participation in any public forum. But, we have a pretty good idea of what the Herald forum will produce and much of it won't be pro-Occupy Boston. That is being kind, honestly. Think train wreck.

The Herald used a quote from Herman Cain that crystalizes what we expect today from Throwdown participants. He called the Occupy movement "un-American" and added:

"They’re basically saying that somehow the government is supposed to take from those that have succeeded and give to those who want to protest. That’s not the way America was built."

Cain's a conservative, of course, so we don't expect him to agree with progressive goals. But, the idea that protest isn't American is ignorant and it says a lot about his perspective and him as a candidate. Cain, ironically, exists as a "viable" candidate because of Tea Party protests. And we know he doesn't think they're "un-American."

People on the left and right will disagree with us on this point: Occupy Boston and the Tea Party both originated from a similar place: a feeling of dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in the country. A crumbling economy, a skyrocketing debt, two long wars, and a completely broken political system that seems distant from its citizens.

Cain's comments also reflect a lack of civility in discourse. We don't like the "un-American" description as much as we dislike the term "teabagger" that some liberals use. There's crazies on both sides. We've seen many racist, anti-Obama signs at Tea Party rallies. Today, one news report showed a 9/11 Truther sign. No, not Fox.

Either way, Occupy Boston made it's point. Who knows how long it will last? College kids from Northeastern, B.U., Tufts, Brandeis, Harvard, MIT, UMass Boston, and Berklee protesting is significant. The rallies are now drawing support of nurses and teachers to the movement, based at the Rose Kennedy Greenway since Friday. The Herald reported signs reading “Marines support Occupy Boston” and “Union Ironworkers.”

Filed in News and tagged Boston Herald, Friday Throwdown, Herman Cain, Occupy Boston, Tea Party

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