Civil Disobedience

I think that the "Occupy Wall Street" protests are a perfect example of civil disobedience. The protests are also a source of much argument, a lot of it focused on whether or not civil disobedience in this case is OK or not. I have mixed feelings on this. Upon initially hearing of the protests, I wanted to offer my support. The majority of issues they are protesting and voicing their anger towards I side with them on. However after going down to Zucotti Park myself and seeing first hand they way the protests are carried out I can understand why some people may believe that civil disobedience is unacceptable in this case. I endorse the right for protesters to sit non-violently in an attempt to rally support for something they find unjust. I think the reason people are angry with the occupiers is that they are not only sitting, but camping out and making a great deal of noise in the process. Their civil disobedience results in not only the people they are protesting experiencing obstacles ( the point of the protest-of which I am OK with) but the repeated occurrence of everyday citizens being disturbed by their actions. Is this for the greater good? I would like to think so, however If I lived down near Zucotti I may feel differently. As a one time visitor I was intrigued and even proud that our citizens are so passionate that they would go to such great lengths to peacefully protest something they found unjust, but if I were a resident down there I am sure I would be angered by their acts of civil disobedience. They make walking to work, running errands and catching the train a difficult task, the noise from their drum circle is heard round the clock, the smell of them cooking food, or simply the body odor emanating from the hundreds is sometimes sickening, the constant police presence they attract is a nuisance,  and the homeless sometimes drug addled hanger ons that camp with them because they are so accepting is worrying to a resident of the quiet area. However I would chose all of that over violent acts any day. I would chose annoyance and disagreement over having violent out of control disobeying oppositions to the laws any day. I think that civil disobedience in the end is a more effective way of gaining support for the opposition of morally unjust happenings that are currently present in our country.

Marx&Mills

I would have to say that I agree somewhat with both Marx and Mills. I would like to believe that freedom means being completely free of the power of the government that freedom means we cannot be forced to do something. A small part of me however thinks that this may be unrealistic, that there is a time when having the government powers intervene is necessary and could potentially help us gain freedom. I believe that this is what Marx is trying to say when he says that it is sometimes necessary for this to happen in order to receive freedom to make certain economic choices. As far as freedom goes, the principle I agree with most is the harm principle. I believe that one should be allowed to do whatever they please as long as it is not harming anyone. I think this is especially important in protecting children. I know some may not agree but I do think government interference is necessary in this case. I believe laws and regulations should be made and that eventually government should step in if a child is being harmed by ones actions. This could go for many other laws our country has as well, not just those that just protect children. This is why our country has protected classes. I don't always think government interference is a bad thing. I think there is a line and that line is very hard to find. In the end though the government stepping in to protect a child from harm is not a crack down on our freedom because the child is in turn given freedom. More freedom can be granted through the use of government.

Buddhism vs. Contemporary Society

I believe that it is near impossible to live in 100% accordance with Buddhist beliefs in the contemporary American society. Our society now more that ever is in fact encouraging the opposite of these beliefs especially with the grasp technology now has on society. What is looked upon as great and cool and powerful is having this technology. If you have the new iphone or the latest trend in shoes or bags you are looked up too. In fact,  our "heroes" in society are no longer selfless beings but celebrities whose very being is kept relevant by them having material items. Shows such as "pimp my ride" where peoples cars are customized or makeover shows or modeling competitions, are the television programs that keep our society interested and tuned in. Even those who pretend not to care about material items in our society are simply not being truthful in my opinion. Who these days doesn't want a new cellular phone or a nicer car or a good home. And is that a bad thing? I do appreciate and respect all Buddhist teachings and I truly do think our society has taken materialism to far. But I also think that there are certain material things that do create a happiness that does not always bring a feeling of emptiness. In the end non-material items do matter most to me, but I also yearn for material items that benefit my friends and family. I seek money so that I can support the ones I love, a home to shelter the ones I love. Those material things benefit my family. I suppose in the end it is just a line that everyone must draw for themselves.