If people ask "what about the system is broken," this is a faaaabulous example.

[L0oniX]

Digby's observation on a State's handling of Occupy vs Fed's handling of Bundy.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/04/1296828/-Digby-s-observation-on-the-Fed-s-handling-of-Occupy-vs-Bundy

I wonder what the defenders of Cliven Bundy have to say about this? My recollection is that they complained a lot about cleanliness. I don't recall any right winger stepping up to defend the right of these people to protest --- and I haven't heard a thing from the "tree of liberty" folks about the legal system dealing with peaceful protest in this way. I guess if you don't have a gun in your hand you just aren't worth defending.

[dilby]

1. Maybe Occupy should have been armed.

I notice the government handles armed protesters a lot differently than unarmed.

[L0oniX]

2. It's all about who's land you are occupying ...I guess

[Niceguy1]

3. if occupy was out in the desert doing

The same thing I bet that the police presence would have been the same as for bundy...

And if bundy was in town like occupy was things would have been drastically different.

[Damansarajaya]

4. Yup, I'm starting to think the same thing.

Strap a big old revolver on your hip and wear a Tee shirt that says, "protected by Smith and Wesson," and the cops seem to be a lot less likely to slam you face down into the curb.

Just sayin'.

[dilby]

5. It worked for the Black Panthers in the 60's and 70's.

You notice that cops are less likely to use force when they are up against people who are armed.

[L0oniX]

6. The pigs were not near as militarized back then as they are now.

[dilby]

7. But you don't have to out gun them, just show it could possibly hurt.

I think having Armed occupy protestors makes sense, you would not be seeing the cops pepper spraying and beating people if they thought there was a chance it could explode in their face. In fact I think you would be seeing a much nicer police force, one that would like to sit down and chat in a civilized tone.

[L0oniX]

8. IMO that would give them the excuse to shoot and kill protesters.

I fully expect them to eventually murder protesters. May 4th was remember the Kent State killings day.

[dilby]

9. It's a different time now, everything is on the internet in minutes of it happening

Shooting protestors would not be a good move, it's the reason they backed down from those Bundy whackos. If they opened fire on Occupy protestors they would get people to sympathize with the protestors and question why are cops so quick to kill. Plus it could lead to a gun battle and no matter how heavily armed they are there is always the chance of getting hurt.