http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article19347.htm
What a Police State looks like.
I get really sick of protesters who show up looking like a bunch of slacker losers. The reason they always ‘lose’ is because the ‘other side’ is organised, coordinated, communicating, and resourceful. The ‘other side’ has clear objectives, goals and tactics to achieving them, including contingencies and backup plans. Meanwhile, the protesters have “Fuck you stupid cop!” “yeah! I just said fuck you to a cop, I’m badass”
I’m waiting for the protest that actually has merit, purpose, commitment and above all, real, concrete objectives and organisational prowess behind it. Protesters have to play the same game, they just have to play it better, and they have to win. Then we’ll really see where the cards fall(with regards to police state, fascism and the dark future that they are convinced is ahead).
Until then, they just make a farce of their ‘cause’, whatever it might be.
I thought even people looking like a buch of a slacker loosers have the right to express their opinion freely in your country. or is this footage from china?
but don`t worry here in europe the police films every protester also.
[quote]Mishima wrote:
I thought even people looking like a buch of a slacker loosers have the right to express their opinion freely in your country. or is this footage from china?
but don`t worry here in europe the police films every protester also.[/quote]
Every slacker loser does have the right to express his opinion. He doesn’t have the right to block the streets and cause the rest of the city to shut down.
They are out in public protesting. They have no expectation of privacy. Quite the opposite, in fact, since by their actions they intend to bring attention upon themselves.
If I were a cop, I’d want film of the masked people, too. You have to wonder if they’re going to try to get away with something, thinking that the anonymity a mob and a mask provide will be sufficient to safeguard them from legal repercussions.
And couldn’t they have found someone a little less whiny to narrate? I hate that “I’m just trying to hold back my tears,” sorrowful voice. If this were a police state, they wouldn’t have used pepper spray or rubber bullets. They would’ve used real ones.
I didn’t watch the whole thing because it looks like a bunch of garbage. Flipping everyone off really helps matters though.
[quote]Mishima wrote:
I thought even people looking like a buch of a slacker loosers have the right to express their opinion freely in your country. or is this footage from china?
but don`t worry here in europe the police films every protester also.[/quote]
They’ve got the RIGHT to do it. They’re just deluding themselves if they actually think the motley “fuck the po-lees” attitude is going to do anything for their ‘cause’(whatever that might be).
They could have a great point, they could have a great argument, tons of evidence, a wide range of bipartisan support, and even the hand of god working with them, but it’s meaningless if they can’t actually organise/demonstrate and follow-thru effectively. A bunch of scruffy malcontents gives the news something to talk about for a day or two, but that’s about it.
I watched a few minutes of the thing, and immediately thought of 2 very good reason for the police to video tape protest.
1st- Training. I think most police departments don’t want things to get to the point of violence. If things do get out of hand, the department can review the tapes, and look for ways to improve their training to avoid such escalation in the future.
2nd- Legal defense. Departments get sued for brutality and alleged brutality all the time. The protesters have their cameras out and can’t wait to get footage of a cop using his baton or pepper spray to use as evidence. If the cops get their own footage, they can show the series of events that necessitated the used of that pepper spray or baton, like protesters attempting to block traffic, damaging public property, throwing things at the police, etc. to use in court.
Of course, you could try explaining this to the people who made this video, but their arguments seem based entirely on emotion and their desire to feel like the oppressed victims, and therefore, I am sure they are immune to reason.
“To rebel in season is not to rebel at all.”
-Old Greek Proverb
Alright, I sat through this turd. There isn’t a damn thing wrong with the cops taking pictures. Gabby covered that well.
What pisses me off about these protesters is that I deal with people like this on a daily basis. They try to make all these parallels to the Nazis, but the minute they get some level of power, they will be sending guys like me off to the camps just as quickly. They are statist thugs just like those they protest against.
Take off your damn masks. Jesus, I get pissed when the cops run around in ninja suits kicking doors down. You Mr. Protester have the same rules apply to you. Running around with a scarf over your face tells me that 1) you are getting a hardon pretending you’re some cool Che Guevara tool and 2) since you are hiding yourself amongst the undisguised while doing something legal, then you may have some sinister motive. Take off your scarf and face your enemies with honor and courage.
And you’re blocking the road. Jeebus. What if I’m trying to get through? Protest on the sidewalk, not in the road. Your freedom of assembly shouldn’t infringe upon my freedom of movement.
And you really need a new narrator. That was pulling teeth. Also, look into timelines. How do you know there was no bottle thrown? It isn’t as if after one bottle goes the cops are going to go crazy. Is it that hard to believe that one of the protesters WOULD throw a bottle? When you assemble and the participants start getting out of line you lose your protest.
All this said, I trust there were mountains of police abuses there that day. I just don’t like being propagandized to. These guys are fucking hippocrites. You guys try to turn this into some kind of Boston Massacre. But keep in mind that WE were in the wrong there (mostly), not the Brits.
mike
[quote]Mikeyali wrote:
“To rebel in season is not to rebel at all.”
-Old Greek Proverb
… They try to make all these parallels to the Nazis, but the minute they get some level of power, they will be sending guys like me off to the camps just as quickly. They are statist thugs just like those they protest against.
…
mike
[/quote]
Precisely the case.
And all this is so old…with nothing to distinguish it from 1960’s, except the self righteousness of it is even more clumsy.
I think photos of me must be in Nixon’s files…In fact, I should ask for them: at least I had hair then.
Oh puh-leez. Yet another bit of dreck from the folks that flunked civics. ;D
[quote]Uncle Gabby wrote:
I watched a few minutes of the thing, and immediately thought of 2 very good reason for the police to video tape protest.
1st- Training. I think most police departments don’t want things to get to the point of violence. If things do get out of hand, the department can review the tapes, and look for ways to improve their training to avoid such escalation in the future.
[/quote]
Police definitely don’t want it to get to the point of violence. Now people, try real hard to pretend that cops are humans too. Here is their situation: They are vastly outnumbered by a probably armed group (sticks, rocks, molotov cocktails etc. are common in crowds) and if something goes wrong cannot get backup or help. Getting stomped to death by an angry mob is a very, very real possibility. Cops know that if a mob turns ugly, they are in a fight for their lives – you bet they have every incentive to keep things on an even keel. For the protesters they are planning on getting schlepped off to jail and be home in time to watch their martyrdom on the evening news.
Not to mention that most people who are up to mischief are far less likely to start it if someone is watching. A lot of incidents flare up and get out of hand because someone figures they can get away with it. Throwing a rock at a cop sounds great but not if you are going to have an incontestable record of it and end up paying for any damages you cause.
Oh, and yes I think it is just grand if you film the cops back to cover your own ass, btw. Make sure they discharge their duty as they should.
Now here is the one, cardinal rule I think you should bear in mind when dealing with the police (in the US): They’d really rather be having a donut.
– jj
The police have reasons for taping things like that, mainly to protect themselves(like Uncle Gabby said). This is hardly a police state. And if you think so, you can leave…which is proof that America is not a police state.
I believe in small government. But the one place the government should play a huge role in is security(Defense/military, police, fire dept). We have to give up some basic “rights” to have security. And you have the “right” to protest, and you won’t get killed. Though some of them are so dumb they should get killed. If you choose to protest in a free country, you are choosing to PUBLICLY voice your opinion. And if you are so dissatisfied with the way something is, why wouldn’t you want them to know who you are so they can ask you about it? Are you afraid they will find out you have no logic to support your argument?
Also, if you protest anything, you should know by now that they will respond. If you have a problem with something, try being intelligent with your opinions. A mass crowd of idiots yelling, plugging up intersections and shutting down blocks of business is not an intelligent way to voice your opinion(which probably lacks intelligence anyway since you can’t write it down).
Be smart. Don’t join mobs of fools.
[quote]jlesk68 wrote:
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article19347.htm
What a Police State looks like.
[/quote]
You know, I am reminded what one of my Iranian friends quipped. He said that in Iran they have complete freedom of speech. It’s what happens right afterwards that’s still a bit of a problem…
– jj
[quote]Trance27 wrote:
Don’t join mobs of fools.[/quote]
Is there any other kind?
[quote]Varqanir wrote:
Trance27 wrote:
Don’t join mobs of fools.
Is there any other kind?[/quote]
Good point…
[quote]Varqanir wrote:
Trance27 wrote:
Don’t join mobs of fools.
Is there any other kind?[/quote]
The Corleone family (except Fredo, Sonny…)