Annie
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- Nov 22, 2003
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nakedemperor said:I went to the protest today, and it was very peaceful, at the admission of the NYPD and Mayor Bloomberg, who called the protestors 'very well-behaved'. Of course there are some bad eggs, but by and large, it was well-mannered. I almost got burned when someone lit a paper dragon on fire (I don't understand the message of that at all...), and the anarchist who did the torching got arrested, but that was the only unpleasantness that I saw.
I'm not sure I understand the concept of not protesting being 'more adult'. There are a lot of angry and disenfranchised people out there, and they wanted their message heard, so they protested. I think that the fact that the RNC boasts an incumbent and the current administration and represents their policies, so many different people with many different concerns and issues show up and the administrations most high-profile gathering to voice their concerns. It wasn't really worth it for Republicans et al. to protest at the DNC because you're not actually protesting anything; you'd be protesting *potential* leaders and policies, which isn't as worthwhile or effective as protesting actual policies.
Things are pretty black and white for folks; they know they want a new president, which I think is a good reason to protest the current one. I'm not sure I agree with the assertion that protesting involves not having 'thought things through'. People have had four years to think things things through, and here is their best opportunity as private citizens to come together and voice their views en masse. I don't think it 'says anything' about conservatives that they didn't protest at the DNC. I don't think it 'says anything' about liberals that they protested here in New York. Liberalism often involes individuals protesting institutions and policies that are in place. It was once a very liberal concept to be anti-slavery, and I'm sure much protesting went on in favor of freeing the slaves. Obviously the analogy is not in terms of magnitude and importance, it just serves to show that liberalism can be a good thing. If the country were entirely conservative, very little radical change would happen. If the country were entirely liberal, it wouldn't be good for the country either. They serve to check and balance each other, and in point of fact, they need each other to balance themselves out.
Protesting is one of the fundamental benefits of having a free democracy. If what is being protested is a established institution, approved by the majority, it will not accomplish anything (it just needs to remain peaceful to be a boon). If what is being protested is truly unjust and non-beneficial, then the protest is necessary and vital. Things always will need to chance, subtly or drastically, and protest is a great way to accomplish change. So protestors and their critics both serve to achieve what makes this country great. IMHO.
OK child. You are "quoting" Krisy about a beer can, but trying a backdoor address to my points.
nakedemperor said:I'm not sure I understand the concept of not protesting being 'more adult'. There are a lot of angry and disenfranchised people out there, and they wanted their message heard, so they protested.
They are angry: WHY? What the F are they upset about? Iraq? Abortion? 2000? The US in general? What is there point(s)?
nakedemperor said:I almost got burned when someone lit a paper dragon on fire (I don't understand the message of that at all...)
Ok, you don't understand them any better, but you are defending them???
You DO realize Wade, that this IS disingenuous? There was the Swiftboat issue, there was the tax issue, there was the funding for WOT issue, but Republicans allowed the convention to go on, without much disruption.nakedemperor said:It wasn't really worth it for Republicans et al. to protest at the DNC because you're not actually protesting anything; you'd be protesting *potential* leaders and policies, which isn't as worthwhile or effective as protesting actual policies.
Actually 'liberalism' in the traditional sense involved getting their message out through peaceful means, unless that didn't work, then they would take it to the next level. Perhaps you should meet google?nakedemperor said:Liberalism often involes individuals protesting institutions and policies that are in place.
nakedemperor said:Things are pretty black and white for folks; they know they want a new president, which I think is a good reason to protest the current one. I'm not sure I agree with the assertion that protesting involves not having 'thought things through'. People have had four years to think things things through, and here is their best opportunity as private citizens to come together and voice their views en masse. I don't think it 'says anything' about conservatives that they didn't protest at the DNC. I don't think it 'says anything' about liberals that they protested here in New York. Liberalism often involes individuals protesting institutions and policies that are in place. It was once a very liberal concept to be anti-slavery, and I'm sure much protesting went on in favor of freeing the slaves. Obviously the analogy is not in terms of magnitude and importance, it just serves to show that liberalism can be a good thing. If the country were entirely conservative, very little radical change would happen. If the country were entirely liberal, it wouldn't be good for the country either. They serve to check and balance each other, and in point of fact, they need each other to balance themselves out.
Protesting is one of the fundamental benefits of having a free democracy. If what is being protested is a established institution, approved by the majority, it will not accomplish anything (it just needs to remain peaceful to be a boon). If what is being protested is truly unjust and non-beneficial, then the protest is necessary and vital. Things always will need to chance, subtly or drastically, and protest is a great way to accomplish change. So protestors and their critics both serve to achieve what makes this country great. IMHO
What a lame closing. I think, feel, fundamental, anything approved by the majority. You need to do some homework.