all is fair in love and... free speech zones?

[lookout123]

looks like the dems liked the idea of keeping the protesters in one location.

Sit ubu, sit

[slang]

Now I don't want to come across as sympathetic to dems here, but I have heard on several occassions that my dad....er, I mean Bush keeps anyone with the slightest unkind twitch literally *miles* away from anywhere he is speaking.....or trying to speak.

Free speech aint what it used to be.

[lookout123]

i'm sorry, i thought that was common knowledge. i know several on here have sniped at bush about his "free speech zones". i was just pointing out that the dems must have liked the idea, because they have adopted it.

actually, i was recently reading an article that claimed the free speech zones are determined by the police, not the candidates.

[lumberjim]

looks more like a penalty box than a zone

[jaguar]

While I'm sure the dems are happy with the situation it appears to be more the security paranoia than the dem's request. What gets me is the security seemed to be more worried about 'rogue elements' and 'anarchists' than terrorists, seemed like the whole operation would about killing any kind of dissent.

[lookout123]

i've lost the article i was reading, but apparently their have been credible threats received that some people are going to douse their clothes in gas (and let it dry) as that messes with explosive sniffing dogs.

the law says that protesters have to be given a location that is close enough that they can be heard, but not access to disturb. so they are putting them fairly close, but enclosing the front sides and top with chain link to prevent them from throwing undesireable items.

[slang]

[quote=jaguar].......security seemed to be more worried about 'rogue elements' and 'anarchists' than terrorists, ........[quote]

ABC news was reporting Friday that the FBI was looking into threats from "domestic" groups to disrupt the rally, oh I'm sorry...convention, by blowing up or burning news vans.

News vans? How about the vehicles that news crews broadcast from. That's it.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Yeah, they might throw medals over the fence,

Well, if I was going to do something really nasty, i'd be sure to carry a protest sign and yell a lot, until I could get close enough to do the dirty deed.

[jaguar]

What a joke, sorry but that screams police state to me. I've been to a fair few protests, we blocked gates, egged cars, jammed up half the goddamn city and made ourselves heard. What the hell is the point in protesting in a convenient cage out of the way, by simply doing so you're undermining yourself. Of course pulling a real protest in the US now appears to be terrorism. I hold no stick with people that smash mcdonalds windows and throw ballbearings under police horses but this kind of thing is bullshit.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Protesters aren't here to get the attention of the people in the vicinity. The TV cameras are their target

[slang]

The reality is that nowdays you cant even speak loudly without scaring people and starting a small riot.

You want freedom? Get yourself several square miles of property, and dont leave it.

[lookout123]

you're right, it is bullshit. unfortunately, we've done it to ourselves. we live in a country where "fans" burn cars after their team loses. where an angry mob burns down their own neighborhood and kill innocent drivers when a revolting court decision is handed down. where people who don't give a shit about politics tear down posters, put holes in walls, and throw drinks when a washed up musician dedicates a song to someone they don't like.
the same people who do these deeds are always looking for an excuse to cause a problem. the majority of people want to protest to get a point across, but in their midst are always those that are looking to start a conflict.

in arizona before the war there were protesters in tucson on a street corner during rush hour. no problem right up until "someone" threw a rock through a moving vehicles windshield, causing a minor accident.
i think it was san francisco where protesters laid down in the streets to block traffic. sooner or later, someone who drank a little too much coffee at the office will follow through on my gut reaction, which is to just run the dumbasses over...

anyway, by not holding those around us accountable for their foolish actions, we have gotten to a point where the police must limit protests to a restricted area. i don't like it, but i understand it.

[xoxoxoBruce]

i think it was san francisco where protesters laid down in the streets to block traffic. sooner or later, someone who drank a little too much coffee at the office will follow through on my gut reaction, which is to just run the dumbasses over...

Must...fight...the...accelerator....of.....death.

If you want a stop sign in your neighborhood, please tell me how blocking traffic so I have to sit there in my car for 20 minutes, is going to win me over to your side?

[lookout123]

it may be wrong of me, but when i see it i have to force myself to stop. my thought process is that they are trying to make a statement and gain some publicity for their cause. what greater publicity could they receive than being martyred under the wheels of my truck as i continue down the road? wouldn't that prove their dedication, thus honoring them? i'm just not brave enough to go to trial on that defense.

[xoxoxoBruce]

(Swoon) You are soooo noble.