DC cops showed protestors who was in charge - PhillyBlog

Scoop0901 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 02:05 PM

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/stori...12105028.shtml

Protestors pushed the line, it seems, and for that, they were pelted with snowballs by others along the parade route, but then hit with pepper spray by DC cops.

Like in another thread, so much for that First Amendment right and "freedom of speech." Seems the only time free speech is acceptable is if those in charge like what you are saying. If not, assault is perfectly acceptable, and the use of pepper spray will be used. Sheesh.

Ben, George, and the rest of the gang from the Founding Fathers club must be rolling over in their graves right about now.

rlc · #2 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 03:38 PM

Quote:

They scuffled with police at at least two points near Pennsylvania Avenue, as officers waved batons and used pepper spray to subdue marchers who knocked down metal security barricades, threw water bottles and other debris and, in one instance, set an American flag aflame.

How could one read this line from the posted article and then claim that these individuals had their free speech rights violated. Free speech does not allow one to break laws such as willful destruction of property and attempted assualt. There were areas along the parade route where peaceful demonstrations were allowed and encouraged. Those who chose not to be peaceful and who wanted to destroy property, disregard security barricades, and attempt to assualt police officers with rightfully subdued and arrested. The freedom of speech that Ben, George and the other founding fathers established did not give one the right to violate laws against the destruction of private or public property and physical assault.

Why is it everytime a Republican is elected President these days there are these wild and violent style protests? When Clinton was elected I don't remember see a bunch of oil execs in Cowboy Hats jumping up and down with big pictures of Clinton's face screaming "Go Home Commie Draft Dodger" and throwing bottles of Dom Perignon at the motorcade.

chrissayer · #3 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 05:00 PM

Why protest when you already own it.

And, if I remember, there were pro-life righties with their fetus in a bottle and pictures of unborn embryos.

And I scarcely think that the right should be held up as the epitome of fairness and civility when it came to Clinton - right from the start.

Scoop0901 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlc

How could one read this line from the posted article and then claim that these individuals had their free speech rights violated. Free speech does not allow one to break laws such as willful destruction of property and attempted assualt. There were areas along the parade route where peaceful demonstrations were allowed and encouraged. Those who chose not to be peaceful and who wanted to destroy property, disregard security barricades, and attempt to assualt police officers with rightfully subdued and arrested. The freedom of speech that Ben, George and the other founding fathers established did not give one the right to violate laws against the destruction of private or public property and physical assault.

Knocking down a temporary fence isn't destruction. Tossing a water bottle, sure, that's wrong. I am wondering how many were tossing water bottles and "debris" -- and what the debris was, in fact. I also wonder what the cops and/or others were doing to taunt the protestors. Most protestors I've seen over the years -- and yes, I've seen many -- were there for "peaceful" reasons, and for the most part, aside from being very vocal, were peaceful. The protests I witnessed that did get out of hand were the result of taunting by cops or others "on the right side."

No, I'm not taking the sides of the protestors. I find it really ironic

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlc

When Clinton was elected I don't remember see a bunch of oil execs in Cowboy Hats jumping up and down with big pictures of Clinton's face screaming "Go Home Commie Draft Dodger" and throwing bottles of Dom Perignon at the motorcade.

Dumbya is just a draft dodger who went AWOL, which is much more disgraceful. Clinton didn't have the balls to go into the military and ran. Dumbya, on the other hand, went in and when he tired of playing by the rules (that had already been bent WAY out of proportion for him -- he went AWOL.

Ezra · #5 (**permalink**) 01-22-2005, 01:30 PM

My girlfriend just read me a quote from an article regarding some "Turn Your Back" on Bush folk who got pulled and escorted away.

That's about as non violent and non destructive as you can get. They didn't even have any cardboard puppets on their persons.

Freedom? What freedom?

Scoop0901 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-22-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezra

Freedom? What freedom?

Isn't there an old song that says, "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose"?

chrissayer · #7 (**permalink**) 01-22-2005, 02:08 PM

Frankly, it looked to me (from the news clips) that both the demonstrators and the police did a reasonably good job. I was surprised that they didn't keep the demonstrations miles away (ala New York and Boston convention sites).

DC Police do a good job. The Park Police used to be really rough, however. Only time I have ever been knocked down and stomped by a horse was the hands (or hoofs) of the Park Police. Felt like Willie Shoemaker on a bad day.