Really, I think we can all agree that in order to judge this situation, we need much more information. What happened before? Why did the police feel the need to clear that area? had there been any protester illegality (property damage, object throwing, etc.) before? -- Elephantman

No we can't and don't agree. You judged the situation before you even saw the video and now you are trying to cover your idiocy. The only people that might agree with you are people like LWM and Shooter and the rest of the authoritarian trash.

She wasn't doing anything but filming. Nothing. It doesn't matter what anyone else did around her. She did nothing. She was bullrushed, knocked to the ground, bloodied, dragged, cuffed and taken away against her will. In other words she was assaulted and kidnapped. Period.

What do we normally do with predators who assault and kidnap people?

According to Democracy Now, there was also a New York Post photographer knocked down and arrested. He was complaining that it was a Republican newspaper, but it didn't save him. So what's his paper got to say about his arrest?

Was that William Timerbman?

Ah, L.W.M., guess what? I was peeping at the videos -- more from a prurient nostalgia than any high political purpose, I admit, but I was also hoping to catch a glimpse of what the dialectic has been up to lately -- when I just happened to stumble across you, sword in hand, with your teeth bared, and your back to the dismal swamp. (Shouting William Timberman! and Paul Rosenberg! while you lay about you is bound to attract attention, you know. :-)

Anyway, I wouldn't mind addressing the extent to which I agree or disagree with you on this issue, but as you know, I'm no longer here. If you'll contact me at my last name followed by the appropriate symbol, then cableone with a dot and a net, I'd be happy to fill you in, if not right away.

(AZ's primary is today, and I'm scheduled either to dance with a lampshade on my head at my Congressional candidate's headquarters tonight, or cling, weeping in sympathy and disillusion to my fellow button wearers, depending on the outcome. After that, though, I'd be happy to fill you in if you'd like, and if you have some drop box somewhere on the Intertubes where I could send what thoughts I have.)

pretty please with sugar?

I wish Glenn would stop using Roman Numerals to number his Updates. I can't count over 3 in Roman and it makes it very difficult to get the Updates sorted out.

they don't set the "rules of engagement" ... There are many levels of supervisory hierarchy. Their job is to make their boss happy, even pleased by how effective they are at carrying out the mission.

They are there to do a "good job," not jeopardize their career (if they can help it) and go home whenever they are allowed to.

They fear losing control -- their JOB is to keep order and control over the situation. I would guess they have more experience with things "going wrong" than most of us.

This sort of assignment is not a lark or an adventure -- it's a genuine challenge and an ordeal.

They aren't the big bad wolf ... at least in their own mind. They're just doing their job.

But people who commit civil disobedience

There is responsible and passive non-violent civil disobedience. There is responsible and effective but safe monkeywrenching and there is out and out irresponsible hooliganism and wanton, violent vandalism. I've engaged in all three and then some.

This was the latter, and really embarrasses me personally, to have to be associated with it in any way. People who are defending it are naive fools.

PS. Eff off totally, blase.

later

What could compliment the GOP's theme this year of loving, caring and sharing, than the coerced appearance of Levi Johnston, currently the eighth most famous resident of Wassila. I'm having trouble believing that the GOP can win this kind of baggage, but as we all know, no one ever lost the presidency by underestimating the bad taste of the American public.

A Mussolini's type Totalitarianism state

coming to your neighborhood soon !

Totalitarian regimes

Conservative Authoritarianism - elite power and often run by old power elites.

Modern Totalitarianism - tends to be based on mass parties and "new: dictators.

Totalitarianism of the LEFT - Stalinism

Totalitarianism of the RIGHT - certainly Nazism, possibly Fascism.

But the anger is palpable.

Peace.

You'll hear nothing more from me.

You are going to need a longer and stronger line and a bigger and sharper hook if you are going to try and bait me.

I hear you, omooex. It really is annoying. I've had enough for one day.

I first saw Mr. Greenwald's report on Tuesday morning and had to scroll back to Monday because, apparently, it's just old news. Police state tactics don't hold a candle to important news like the appearance of Mrs. Palin's daughter's baby daddy at the convention.

How shabby of Salon.com.

Remember, we're not talking about "nonviolent civil disobedience" ... we are talking about groups that months ago announced boldly their intention to disrupt, to monkey wrench the convention... a group that anticipated and invited confrontation ...

Well, they got what they were looking for and -- if you read the morning communique -- they aren't whining -- they believe this is just the beginning of something big ... maybe they're right.

But people who commit civil disobedience (which is not the same as "protesting") hopefully understand that they are BREAKING THE LAW and that there were will consequences ... like spending days in prison waiting for a judge.

In Los Angeles, during the civil right movement, they used to transfer arrestees at sit-ins from one jail to another so they were deprived contact with their families and their legal representatives.

It appear the people engaging in confrontation aren't the ones whining about how unfair this all is. This IS what they came for.

Contribute to the legal funds.