Dana Milbank grew up in Merrick, New York, a Long Island hamlet that is still over 95% white and which has a median household income of $93,000. He went to a magnet high school, and then to Yale University, where he joined the exclusive Skull & Bones society. After graduation, he quickly landed jobs at the Wall Street Journal and The New Republic. I mention this not to criticize Milbank, who has made the most of being born on third base. I mention it because it helps put in perspective his attitude about the Occupy Movement.
He says that he’s hoping the DC version will gain steam and create a balance to the Tea Party, but all he really wants to do is make the protesters look ridiculous. I will say that David Swanson seems to be intent on making the movement more disruptive and confrontational than their New York counterparts. And it’s easy to be dismissive of these protests, especially when they are not attracting large numbers. I’m guilty of that myself. But you can’t expect someone with Milbank’s privileged background to be on the side of the 99%. At least, not when the shit really goes down. He’s a Bonesman getting a paycheck from Kaplan Test Prep. Nuff said.