Using the Protests
by matt at 6:25 am on August 24th, 2004 in Bush Man Date
Continuing on the subject of the New York City Republican convention protests comes confirmation of one of my concerns:
…Republicans made clear they would seek to link Mr. Kerry and the Democratic Party to any disorder.
The hypocrisy, as usual, is just stunning: Anyone who voices their opinion against the President is the Democrats’ responsibility, but no one who tries to smear John Kerry (even with republican money) has anything to do with the Republicans.
Estimates put the expected number of protesters at 200,000. With such a large number of people gathered, the media will be completely unable to ignore them. That results in two possible outcomes:
1. Stories will run announcing record numbers of mostly peaceful protesters registering their discontent with the current administration along with video of oceans of people holding signs explaining the administration’s sins.
-or-
2. Stories of lunatics rioting, mass arrests, and hitting police with signs will run instead.
Now think about which of these outcomes is more likely after reading the above quote.
The ground has already been prepared by “Crisco” John Ashcroft interrogating people who plan to protest and newspapers writing editorials and stories about who will be blamed if there is trouble.
Meanwhile, the FBI expects violence and the NYPD plans to have 10,000 officers on the streets in addition to using loudspeakers powerful enough to rupture eardrums.
Sounds like a mess, and certainly an avoidable one if the RNC had chosen a less hostile city to host their convention.
I’m not optimistic about the effects of the protests. I think the combination of blatant exploitation of 9/11 by the RNC and the irresponsible herd mentality of some protesters will be bad for the Democrats and worse for New York City.
I’m curious to hear how New Yorkers feel about all of this.
iamnewyork wrote:
I don’t want the damn republicans or the “let’s protest something” protesters. Next week NYC will be filled beyond capacity with arrogant delegates, holier than thou protesters and the usual nitwit tourists. And NYers will walk around with our usual attitude of mild annoyance and 6$ coffee-fueled agitation
Posted 24 Aug 2004 at 12:00 pm ¶
matt wrote:
Tell us what you really think.
Posted 24 Aug 2004 at 12:13 pm ¶
iamnewyork wrote:
I really think all of the above.
I also think that W and Co. are hoping for crazy, violent protest antics so they can justify the Patriot Act and all other violations of privacy in the name of “protecting America from Domestic terrorism”
I agree with you that protests may do more harm than good, as any real message will be ignored by the media for more “exciting” coverage of shit gone awry.
In short leave New York alone!!!
Posted 24 Aug 2004 at 12:34 pm ¶
matt wrote:
“Tell us what you really think.”
Figure of speech.
“In short leave New York alone!!!”
Am I still allowed entry?
Posted 24 Aug 2004 at 1:09 pm ¶
iamnewyork wrote:
As long as you’re not using NY’s current 9/11 sympathy for your own political/monetary gain.
Tangentially speaking, I always noticed how non-New Yorkers used to talk about the city with mild distaste, apprehension, or dowright disgust. Since 9/11, people can’t say enough nice things about NY.
It’s like NY is now the problem kid down the block, who you always wanted sent to juvenile hall until you saw his alcoholic step-dad beat the shit out of him and now you just talk about how hard the kid tries to be good.
Posted 24 Aug 2004 at 1:38 pm ¶