I am somewhat torn about the idea of protesting the RNC in NYC.

[Cascadian]

Even though I cannot be there, I am somewhat torn with the idea of demonstrations at the GOP convention in New York.

While I like the idea of hundreds of thousands of people, even millions of being crashing the GOP/Bush lovefest/9/11 Exploitaion, I am somehow concerned some serious stuff could go down. I even tend to think it will make Chicago 1968 look like a picnic. There are plenty of angry people that going to come and I fear some of those angry people are going to take advantage of the situation by doing some damage. I am talking about your radical fring like anarchists, militant lefties, etc... There are plenty of scenarios to go through to what might happen. I even think that Karl Rove or his neocon types could take the advantage of the situation and create some havoc. They are that type of people. If something happens, the Repubs could blame the Democrats for this and spin something for the mainstream media to turn those in "Middle America" off to voting for Kerry.

At the same time, I do not want people's voices to be silent. I do not want them to be caged in pens like animals or be placed near a freeway overpass or whatever. I think the idea of "free-speech zones" are a joke. There is something Orwellian about them. I was brought up to believe that all of America is a free-speech zone.

All I hope for is nothing crazy or bad happens during this convention. I would hate for the powers that be (neocons) to come up with an excuse to further crackdown on what is left of our civil liberties.

John

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I agree

if the protests lead to violence, that's the cue to call for martial law and to tear up what's left of the Constitution. And I know there are freepers out there just waiting to do it.

What I hope is a combination of peaceful protests, creative protest/street theater, and millions and millions of anti-Bush signs in windows.

[Nimrod]

3. I'm deeply concerned

"if the protests lead to violence, that's the cue to call for martial law and to tear up what's left of the Constitution. And I know there are freepers out there just waiting to do it."

That's my second biggest fear, the first being how many people could get hurt if it turns that ugly. The police and fire departments threatening a strike/sickout really adds to the mix. On one hand that would be a POWERFUL statement against * - on the other the image of NYC burning to the ground will be an even more powerful one.

I really hope I'm just yelling 'the sky is falling'. This is one instance where the more wrong I turn out to be the happier I am.

[baltodemvet]

2. Keep your eyes on the Prize

These protests are a diversion from the real job which is winning this election. Invest the invest time and effort in getting VOTES!

[rfranklin]

4. Guaranteed that the Bushista undercover agitators will be in action....

creating violence for the political benefit of the junta.

[flamingpie2500]

5. Yeah I have a bad feeling also. The idiot GOP picks a democratic

town to hold their convention, ( I read somewhere that as much as 83 percent of New Yorkers didn't want the convention there)
The inconveniences caused by security, and the fact that this has to be the most hated president in history--makes for short tempers...
Let's just hope noone gets seriously hurt.
Boy would I love to be there!!

[DeepModem Mom]

6. I see it as upside/downside -- any upside benefit trumped by downside risk

n/t

[NewYorkerfromMass]

7. Woodstock in Central Park

that's my best advice- a peaceful show of numbers.

[Nimrod]

8. That is the ideal

But with as high as emotions are right now (and as violent as the freepers have gotten the closer they get to losing) odds may not be in our favor for that one.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

9. Central Park is a beautiful place

conducive to the right kind of behavior.

[Cascadian]

10. kick

[blondeatlast]

11. FWIW, the Police Union will be picketing MSG; contract talks

have failed and it's gone to biinding arbitration for police and firefighters.

They are even debating asking DELEGATES NOT TO CROSS THEIR PICKET LINES.

Most will be working OVERTIME; something they sould not have to do to make ends meet. A sign or two to that effect might be a grand idea...

Be respectful and supportive of them and we may win some very valuable allies.

Besides, they deserve a raise, they really do.