DISPATCHES FROM AMERICA A (self-)graduation speech for the occupiers of Zuccotti Park

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By Tom Engelhardt

Once the Arab Spring broke loose, people began asking me why this country was still so quiet. I would always point out that no one ever expects or predicts such events. Nothing like this, I would say, happens until it happens, and only then do you try to make sense of it retrospectively.

Sounds smart enough, but here’s the truth of it: whatever I said, I wasn't expecting you. After this endless grim decade of war and debacle in America, I had no idea you were coming, not even after Madison.

You took me by surprise. For all I know, you took yourself by surprise, the first of you who arrived at Zuccotti Park and, inspired by a bunch of Egyptian students, didn't go home again. And when the news of you penetrated my world, I didn't pay much attention. So I wasn't among the best and brightest when it came to you. But one thing's for sure: you've had my attention these last weeks. I already feel years younger thanks to you (even if my legs don't).

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/MK01Dj05.html

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1. recommend

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2. Sniff. Made me all nostalgic. nt

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3. sure did me. --

i think they are doing it better than the 60's folk did though.

or maybe that's my mind playing tricks on me.

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4. We were spoiled kids, back then.

We got a lot right, we got a lot wrong. It is good that people can learn from our mistakes.

I must say that the technical means have improved since then, but I miss all those little "radical" papers and weeklies.

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5. oh my god -- those fabulous, fabulous newspapers -- you really can't improve some things --

and the social media really hasn't improved on those.

it's faster yes.

but when you read a newspaper -- you have to stop for a moment -- and that's a good thing.

and the creativity involved in laying out a paper -- just wonderful.