Mona provides what Jeb is too opaque to. Mona, was that (I assume) in his "What's Missing from the DNC" post? I missed it. Still, three posts here to a mere mention at the other. Also: I'm unclear: is Glenn protesting in St. Paul? Did he in Denver?

Just because I don't subscribe to the Republican Lite stances that are so prevalent in our democratic discourse does not entitle you to direct me to the nearest hole you may have come from. I am not here to fight with anyone but express ideas. Had you read my whole statement you would have understood that if Obama is going to wave the flag as an advocate of Civil Liberties he needs to speak out against the obvious strong arm tactics that are currently being used. Democratic views are heavily rooted in Civil Rights and I am calling out My candidate to speak out for democrats on an issue that is important to our base, Civil Liberties. It is a shame my opening is seen as a form of subterfuge in your eyes because you chose to zero in on the intro as opposed to the content of the message. We have to stop fighting among each other and focus our energy where it matters, those in charge. As for the hole I crawled out of...its the hole the Bush Administration has dug me into for the last eight years and I'm just trying to crawl out like the rest of us. Save you contempt for the ones who are slowly taking away our right to assemble and to speak freely. Maybe then America will be restored.

Mona provides what Jeb is too opaque to. Mona, was that (I assume) in his "What's Missing from the DNC" post? I missed it. Still, three posts here to a mere mention at the other. Also: I'm unclear: is Glenn protesting in St. Paul? Did he in Denver?

You read here regularly and you really did not know that Glenn reported from Denver?!

First, in Denver he covered police collusion to keep the press out of a a lavish party hosted for Blue Dog Dems, with the strong suspicion this was in gratitude for the telecom amnesty votes. Glenn and Jane Hamsher -- credentialed journalists -- were constantly asked to move so they could not inquire of those entering the party who they were or why they were attending; the markers of public vs. private pty being changed willy-nilly. Glenn posted all that in writing and on video.

Second. Glenn did not "protest" in Denver nor is he doing so in the Twin Cities. He is covering both events with Salon credentials.

As Jebbie put it, you need to read the black parts.

Ah yes, Just Doing Their Job

You're right, Susan, of course. The beat cop has little or no autonomy, certainly not when he -- or she as the case may be -- is the merest cog in the machine of oppression, in the case of St. Paul apparently designed and directed by the Secret Service.

I would like to hear from her. And there you go again displaying your total ignorance, and sounding like the cheesy dialogue from a crappy Blaxploitation film from the 70's. Inner city blacks actually had a reason to view the police as a machine of oppression. I have never said that police are not there to do the very job you claim, but, given my perspective as social conflict theorist, I always knew that. I can also tell you that in SF, we didn't start out by making the police the enemy. That gets you no place fast. Rather, we worked to make them part of the community and hire officers that were representative of the community and actually lived in the community. That is political activism and organizing at work. If you think it is just gathering in large crowds with giant puppet heads and throwing balloons filled with urine at cops, I can't help you.

Police agencies are most certainly the opposite of a corporate bureacracy. The rank and file beat cop does have a higher degree of autonomy (discretion) than those farther up the chain of command. No one is looking over his shoulder telling him how to do his job late at night on the street. The Chief of Police can't take a crap without checking with the mayor. If it were the corporate world and you may have a point. That may have changed some for police agencies in major urban cities but the point remains. You don't really have a clue about much of this.

Is UT O.K.? It seems to have grown angrier and angrier recently, until it has now reached the point where (there's no gentle way to put this) this

Gestapo-Hitler-would-be-proud-Fascism-I-have-my-weapons-well-oiled-stuff-Case closed - is indistinguishable from something written by some demented kids in our neighborhood.

Yes, some protesters were apparently causing property damage. When the police encircle masses of people, tactically cutting off their retreat, how can a "lawful order to disperse" be obeyed? It probably can’t – But where are all these posters who deal with such issues in a way were they don’t box each other into corners they don’t belong too – and where is the ‘freethinking spirit’ of UT – did it die with the exit of Timbermann or are all these ‘oltimers’ sitting at home laughing their a… of because their blog goes bizarro –

Ok as you might know I’m all for it too – and if even Glenn shows some type of Galgenhumor - let’s finish it of guys an we have to talk about Yosemite – because you know there is zero tolerance in Yosemite too and the ‘pigs’ (you know the police) just have roughed up Friedensreich Freudenberger and if this isn’t the ultimate sign of a Fascistic State – I mean they rough up demonstrators every day at every god damn law abiding democracy but roughing up climbers in Yosemite!! –A f... American National Park and because the dude overstayed his welcome - lets sent Amy up there and shoot the video:

The descent of the great American Republic into a Fascist Regime by the Example of beating up climbers in Yosemite – that would be so much more ‘freethinking’ than 'che pasa’ - right and Roosevelt would be proud of it because he looved Yosemite – and in the preamble i could tell my story how i visited Jeffersons house and if this is not 'anarchistic' i don't know what is - and can I now please go back to being happy - because Obama reached 50 Percent – okay you guys helped a little bit - but just the ‘oltimers’ some of the ‘newbies are even more stupid then I am - right - bamage and what happened to you - dude?