The Occupy Bellingham movement participants can claim the first instance of job creation as a result of their protests. The Bank of America at Holly and Cornwall has hired a private armed guard to protect its share of the 1%.

It appears the guard is only there during business hours, however, his presence raises several issues, the first of which is the problem of the "rules of engagement" under which he operates with respect to his weapon (in this case a pistol.) In other words, to what extent can he draw that pistol? What specific acts may occasion the use of deadly force? What authority does he have with respect to citizens walking on the public sidewalk? Can he ask for identification from those entering the bank? Can he search packages? Purses? Do customers have to obey his directions? Inquiring minds want to know.

One might also ask if this is just the first instance of placing private armed guards in front of Bellingham's banks. Will the practice spread? Will this be the picture visitors will take from their stay here in the future? What is then the real danger? The threat of bank robbery has always been there. The only new wrinkle is the peaceful demonstrations of the last few weeks. Has this occasioned the bank's reaction? Have peaceful demonstrators become more threatening than armed robbers?

In some sense the action of Bank of America confirms the growing effectiveness of the Occupy movement across the country as Bank of America has hired private security at many of its branches, not only Bellingham. Evidently, the banks are now immensely afraid of unarmed, peaceful demonstrators. Is this not ironic? BOO!