Occupy Tampa protesters have a sense of humor… Credit: Shanna Gillette

Occupy Tampa protesters have a sense of humor… Credit: Shanna Gillette

Occupy Tampa protesters have a sense of humor… Credit: Shanna Gillette

I hear some crazy shit. I mingle with friends, coworkers, and relatives who sometimes quote pundits on Fox News and it always makes me smile.

One of the recurring and more ridiculous themes at dinner parties and board meetings is this: “Occupy Tampa, sprung from Occupy Wall Street, gets its original inspiration from the Tea Party. These two groups of activists on the left and right are cousins, more alike than different.”

I chuckle and then let them have it. Here is my rebuttal:

This article appears in Oct 13-19, 2011.