Thanks for the reporting; I've passed links and texts along to my friends and relatives.

I live in Seattle and my experience in 1999 with the WTO was the King County Sheriff's excitement over their bigger funding package for weapons and creating a riot as an excuse to use it all up (former Sheriff is now Bush yes man in congress). Sounds as if they've increased the funding for Minneapolis.

Looks as if Mother Nature is on the side of protestors.

Looking forward to Democracy Now tomorrow and to your continued reporting.

Who ever was running the video camera for the "amazing video" should learn how to operate is equipment. Even thought they are Amateurs, we at least we go the news.

They're hoping to provoke someone into resisting, so they can do their usual stomp anyone in the vicinity routine. They're hoping someone will succumb to the perfectly natural instinct to protect their nest so they can go berserk and break out the tear gas and tasers. They're doing this because they enjoy hurting people - that's the sort of folks who become cops in the first place. These are the true colors of your heroes. Take a good long look and remember this next time someone tells you how you should be grateful to have the police "protecting" you.

the justice department whose motto "not every violation of the law is a crime"

A principle sometimes expressed as "but some animals are more equal than others."

You approve of all the illegal things the republican administration has done, but you disapprove of intent to protest these things, all legal so far? How do you justify your position? Hell, how do you sleep at night? -- Mike Sulzer

I sleep very well. The Republican administration hasn't been demonstrated to have done anything illegal aside from LL. I've also said that protest as sanctioned was hunky-dory. Groups advocating disruption such as nornc.org are not hunky-dory.

Come back when you have something other than the fevered hallucinations of BDS.

However, as we all know very well, this rarely happens in "the real world" because these entities usually have just cause.

Here, let me fix that typo.

However, as we all know very well, this rarely happens in "the real world" because these entities usually have the judges, prosecutors and the rest of the corrupt system in their pockets.

Much better. No, don't thank me - happy to help.

While I'm at it, the colonists were prepared to fight and die for their cause, while you people scream and squawk, when your rights are "taken away". You're all lip and no zip.

Pussies.

Scooter finally posted something I agree with.

It is amazing to me that the US Govt asked the Chinese Government to release the 8 protestors. Then criticize the Chinese government for violating freedom of speech! Both in Denver and now Minneapolis, the police are out in full force with semi-automatic-weapons, belly clubs etc., targeting protestors who may be a bit noisy but not violent. So, what is the difference between the Chinese arresting foreign protestors and Americans arresting American Citizens who are protesting against many items including the war in Iraq. Our govt is trying to engrain freedom of speech in America, but it's not really true! As I look back on my life, without seat belts, no helmets on bikes or when on roller skates, able to ride in the back of a pick-up truck, now we are targeted for possibly being under the influence of alcohol etc. Many girls got married at 15 or 16, that was resolved by parents not government. We have too damn much influence by Government. Today, we are lucky, we don't have to think for ourselves, let our politicians take care of that - Just listen and do!!

Pedinska,

You just don't understand and I've tried to explain this before.

These rights did not spring fully formed from the minds of the Framers' like Minerva from the mind of Zeus.

Sometimes I'm not sure Glenn even understands but I suspect in his case it is more a matter of not wanting to understand. I think emotion gets the better of him in these cases and he would prefer to be outraged rather than analytical.

Cabdriver,

Heru-ur, same thing. Prefers to be outraged rather than analytical. But he's said more stupid things than most here, so make of that what you will.

I sleep very well. The Republican administration hasn't been demonstrated to have done anything illegal aside from LL.

Abuse of prescription sleep aids? First time I've heard of it leading to this kind of psychotic break. What kind of cocktail of anti-psychotics are you taking anyway? I doubt even Buspar and Luvox combined could make a dent in your dysfunction.

I've also said that protest as sanctioned was hunky-dory. Groups advocating disruption such as nornc.org are not hunky-dory.

Good thing you aren't in charge of anything (including, presumably, you income).

Come back when you have something other than the fevered hallucinations of BDS. -- shooter242

The only deranged behavior here is yours, shooter242. The saddest bit is you don't even realize how ridiculous and embarrassing you've become.

This is just insane.

You are the one constantly berating any ideas "others" might have to combat the fascist trend our government is taking, instead encouraging those "others" to change their tactics to something which would, in your opinion, would be more effective. You never, ever, spell out precisely what those tactics are, only that whatever is being suggested isn't going to work. (and I challenge you to post a link to whereever tou have said what you would do) -- Jebbie

You are a liar. Plain and simple. I am not just some late-to-the-party-comments-section-bomb-thrower. I have been attempting to "encourage others" (here and elsewhere) to change their tactics for literally YEARS and have been met with derision and scorn from both people smart enough to know better and from asshat fiddlers such as yourself. I used to hang out here and read Glenn because I was convinced that one day he would see the need to mobilize. I thought he was the real deal. It turns out he is just a good thinker, writer and caller of bullshit who isn't willing to get too involved. He is apparently content with simply documenting the fall. Fine. So be it. That still doesn't change what I have been saying or make my message any less clear.

You may attempt to rationalize your own actions or inaction as the case may be but you will never be successful in your attempts to denigrate those of us who have been advocating for real direct action. People will eventually see through your fear and lies. I been around the block a few times. I have been involved with several protests, marches and boycotts over the past 6-7 years. I have attempted to organize here locally where I live. It hasn't amounted to much. The way I viewed it, as I have said numerous times, the internet and the netroots are a very efficient way to organize. And the most natural leaders are found here in the well respected writers and bloggers. It looks like I was mistaken. You people love throwing money at problems and are semi-successful in collecting it, but when it comes down to brass tacks that is really all you are willing to do. So, you want an example? You have challenged me and called me a fraud? Well here is the most recent example. Fuck you.

bamage

[Read the article: Obama, telecoms and the Beltway system]

[Read more letters about this article: Here]

adnoto, I might be "down with" the Revolution...

...but what, exactly, ARE you advocating? I mean, if you have actual ideas, I'd like to here them. More specific than [paraphrasing] "take a bodily stand". No snark, I just have no idea what you're suggesting. -- bamage

What did Gandhi do? What did MLK do? I mean we have some precedents to work with right?

I think what I am advocating is that we come to a loose consensus on what we want done and then act to get them to do it. A list of demands. What do we want? What has to be done first? For instance: No telecom amnesty. Period. OK what else? Think of it now because once this gets going we will want to have something to tell them other than "No Blood for Oil". So, what do we want?

Immediate appointment of a special prosecutor to look into all of BushCo's evil? Out of Iraq within 6 months? Closure of Gitmo immediately or ASAP. No lobbyist money period? A run off style election system? A computer with a Glenn Greenwald screen saver for every household? etc. etc. Everyone is going to have their preferences about demands but we would need at least a few.

I think the bottom line is we ask these modern day leaders of ours, these intelligent bloggers such as Glenn and others to put their heads together and come up with a plan. They could use this very coalition they are working with now. They could continue to use the attack ads if they think that is working but they could also come up with a plan for some direct action, running it by us as a sounding board and for ideas, and then put out calls to action. Strikes, sit-ins, boycotts, speaches.... hell all of it. Pick a week and just do it once a plan is finalized. And keep doing it until we are dealt with one way or another.. that is the key.

It could be local too. I mean we would probably want a significant presence in DC eventually but initially marching on and sitting in the local offices of our respective congresspersons would be very effective IMO.

To be honest with you I don't have a good handle on how it would all shake out. I am not a planner. I am reasonably intelligent and I don't bullshit myself -- I can see the true problem for who and what it is and I would be a good asset and a more than willing participant, but you wouldn't want me as a planner.

Which is, in part, why I come to a blog such as this. Looking for leaders. I realize my limitations. I am sure there are plenty of former DFH's who were really in the thick of it back in their day that could assist with do's and dont's and organizing and planning. I am willing to do whatever I need to do but what we would need initially is some organization and that only comes with leadership. Glenn has shown he is a leader. He has raised over 100 grand from you all in a few days and without much detail as to what he is going to do with it. We all trust him. He is a leader almost by default at this point. He and others like him may not want that label or responsibility but it is theirs if they willing to take it.

Permalink Thursday, June 19, 2008 07:03 AM