Is it really worth hurting people over?

[Downhome 0]

Well, it's time to see how this all pans out.

 

Ugh.

[Guest Cerebus]

I plan to do for the RNC what I planned for the DNC.

 

Spend time with my wife, play poker with my friends, play video games, read, work.

 

I think that would be a lot more productive than watching an pumped up, tax-payer funded, 3 day long anachronism.

[AndrewTS 0]

Well, it happened. No violence yet, so sadly no hippie skull-busting to my knowledge, yet. I'm as disappointed as you, KKK--since NYC is close enough to grab a club and a bus and join in on the fun.

 

Thousands of Demonstrators Hit NYC Streets

 

NEW YORK (AP) - Tens of thousands of Bush administration opponents poured into Manhattan's streets Sunday on the eve of the Republican National Convention, angrily denouncing the war in Iraq and demanding the United States withdraw its forces.

 

Flanked by police in riot gear and led by a line of celebrities including actor Danny Glover and filmmaker Michael Moore, the protesters moved through the fortified city on a circular route that took them through midtown and past Madison Square Garden, where the convention opens Monday.

 

The marchers, chanting slogans like "No more years" and carrying anti-Bush signs, filled nearly 20 city blocks on a sunny, steamy day with temperatures in the upper 80s. Supporters leaned from windows to cheer them on. Organizers claimed up to 250,000 people would participate in what was expected to be the largest protest of the week.

 

No immediate crowd count was available.

 

City officials have been calling for peaceful demonstrations and no violence was immediately reported.

 

 

 

Some demonstrators carried fly-swatters bearing Bush's face. Others batted around a 6-foot-wide inflatable globe. One sign echoed Democratic nominee John Kerry's Vietnam-era remark: "How do you ask a soldier to be the last person to die for a lie?" Another read "Bush lies. Who dies?"

 

"Today we send our message," said Leslie Cagan, leader of United for Peace and Justice, the march's organizer.

 

Cagan's group sued to force the city to allow a rally in Central Park, but a judge rejected the lawsuit. City officials have said such a rally would damage lawns in the park.

 

"We are the majority of this country. The majority of this country opposes the war," said Moore, who addressed the crowd at a gathering 10 blocks south of the convention site.

 

"The majority of this country wants the Bush administration out of office," the "Fahrenheit 9-11" director said. "The majority never voted for the Bush administration, and the majority are here to say, `It's time to have our country back in our hands.'"

 

Hundreds of protesters carried mock coffins made of cardboard boxes draped with homemade American flags to represent military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

"Would anyone like to volunteer to be a pallbearer today?" asked protester Ken Miller, 38, a city maintenance worker. "These are lighter than they look."

 

The causes varied as much as the people shouting support: immigrants' rights, gay rights, universal health care, the Palestinian cause, an end to the killing in Sudan. Tracy Blevins, a biomedical researcher who lived in New York recently, died her Maltese pink and carried the little dog in a baby pouch to advocate peace.

 

Sunday's protest followed several days of demonstrations throughout the city, staged by an array of activist groups.

 

The most rancorous was Friday, when 264 people were arrested for disorderly conduct in a protest bicycle ride that snaked through the city and passed by Madison Square Garden _ the first major clash between police and demonstrators converging on the city for the convention.

 

On Saturday, 25 people were arrested in convention-related incidents, bringing the total for the three days to 311, police said.

 

But the previous three days were a mere prelude to Sunday's demonstrations.

 

Besides the United for Peace and Justice march, a number of other events were planned, including a gay rights demonstration and a vigil in Central Park by a group of Sept. 11 families opposed to the Iraq war.

 

"I hope we show a strong dissent," said Laura Pessieri, 27, a protester from New Jersey who carried a sign showing Bush alongside the slogan, "An Imminent Threat to Democracy."

 

The New York Daily News made a pitch for calm on Sunday, publishing a front-page editorial with the headline, "Play Nice." On the city's subways and regional commuter lines, security was tight and visible, with police making frequent walks through train cars and eyeing passengers up and down.

 

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in a radio address Sunday, acknowledged the intense feelings on both sides but said the convention was an important event for New York. He promised all-out efforts to ensure safety.

 

"We've put in place a security plan that is thorough, measured, and that protects the rights of convention-goers and protesters without unnecessarily getting in the way of New Yorkers as we go about our daily lives," Bloomberg said.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Too far for my taste. Besides, living in the Pittsburgh area, there's plenty of chances to make fun of morons.

 

In addition, unlike many of these pseudo-hippies in NYC, I actually have a job to go to and don't have the time to prance around naked protesting AIDS (which you all should be thankful for, btw).

 

God I hope Bush wins -- the seer hysteria these fuckwads will undertake will be downright hystrical...

[Downhome 0]

How nice, they built a campfire in the streets.

[2GOLD 0]

Election day would be on my birthday. Ain't this a b*tch.

 

If Bush wins, a bunch of democrats go nuts.

If Bush loses, a bunch of democrats and Republicans go nuts

 

Either way, I'm stuck at home on my birthday cause of this worthless dog and pony show.

 

Also, some of the demostrators are apparently smart while a large handful are brain dead college kids who are just there to act like they won the National Championship.

 

Someone should be there chanting "Free South Africa" or "Hamsters are people too" or "VOTE FOR ZOD!"

 

Three issues I care more about than this so called "election".

[Lando Griffin 0]

Since when did you need a permit to exercise a First Amendment right?

[KingPK 0]

When you're essentially blocking off miles of street in one of the most populous and busy cities in the world, you damn well BETTER get permission first. Besides, contrary to popular belief, the first amendment DOES NOT mean "you can do and say whatever you want, whenever you want."

 

I saw a bit on C-Span while flipping around. Kind of dull with people just slowly walking down the street and holding their dumb signs.

[NoCalMike 0]

A report today, said the protests on Sunday drew up to 120,000 and there was about 100 arrests. So I'd say the ratio of sane people with opposing views to the President compared with the nuts, is pretty in favor of the more rational folks. Of course, I am going to just LOVE the media focus ad naseum on the TWO, yes 2 out of 120,000 that set a fire in the street and pretend like that is a widespread activity going on.

[Guest INXS]

Sometimes it seems that violence is the only option left...democracy might now work with Bush..

[KingPK 0]

What the hell are you talking about?

[Guest INXS]

It's amazing to see people finally wake up and get active against Bush. I am happy beyond words. I can't elaborate on my previous post.

[Guest MikeSC]

Since when did you need a permit to exercise a First Amendment right?

It's the whole "nuisance to the public" thing. Believe it or not, permits for mass demonstrations have been required for, well, ever.

Sometimes it seems that violence is the only option left...democracy might now work with Bush..

Will somebody crush your genitals to make certain that you cannot reproduce, please?

It's amazing to see people finally wake up and get active against Bush. I am happy beyond words. I can't elaborate on my previous post.

God, I wish more people could read your words.

 

It'd make Kerry's already-sagging numbers sag even further.

-=Mike

[Guest INXS]

Sometimes it seems that violence is the only option left...democracy might now work with Bush..

Will somebody crush your genitals to make certain that you cannot reproduce, please?

It's amazing to see people finally wake up and get active against Bush. I am happy beyond words. I can't elaborate on my previous post.

God, I wish more people could read your words.

 

It'd make Kerry's already-sagging numbers sag even further.

-=Mike

Heh love the offer of violence towards me..chill Mike, democracy DOES work with me!

 

Kerry is doing a very, very poor job at opposing Bush thus far..though I am confident that Bush has dug a hole for himself so deep that there is no way he will be re-elected (unless he rigs the election again).

[Guest Anglesault]

What the hell are you talking about?

Just nod and smile.

 

::nods and smiles::

[Guest MikeSC]

What the hell are you talking about?

Just nod and smile.

 

::nods and smiles::

So, how obnoxious should we be when Kerry loses in November?

-=Mike

[Vyce 0]

Kerry is doing a very, very poor job at opposing Bush thus far..though I am confident that Bush has dug a hole for himself so deep that there is no way he will be re-elected (unless he rigs the election again).

 

I'm now with Mike on the genitals-crushing thing.

 

At this point, any candidate who adopts a "I'll make sure that all idiots are sterilized before they can breed!" platform will get my vote. And probably as sizable a campaign contribution as I can afford to give.

[Guest Anglesault]

What the hell are you talking about?

Just nod and smile.

 

::nods and smiles::

So, how obnoxious should we be when Kerry loses in November?

-=Mike

Tell you the truth, if we responded to every liberal suicidal post election rant with

 

::nods and smiles::

 

we could cause a breakdown.

 

Kerry is doing a very, very poor job at opposing Bush thus far

 

Apparently because he hasn't tried to blow Bush up. Because, as you said, violence is the only option.

[Guest MikeSC]

Kerry is doing a very, very poor job at opposing Bush thus far..though I am confident that Bush has dug a hole for himself so deep that there is no way he will be re-elected (unless he rigs the election again).

 

I'm now with Mike on the genitals-crushing thing.

 

At this point, any candidate who adopts a "I'll make sure that all idiots are sterilized before they can breed!" platform will get my vote. And probably as sizable a campaign contribution as I can afford to give.

If they mentioned INXS by name, I'd be for him.

-=Mike

..."Elect me President and I'll fix INXS..."

[Guest Anglesault]

How would you pronounce that? "I-N-X-S" or "Eenixes"

 

Because I would vote for someone who said "eenixes" regularly.

[Guest MikeSC]

How would you pronounce that? "I-N-X-S" or "Eenixes"

 

Because I would vote for someone who said "eenixes" regularly.

Actually, one could argue that if we castrated INXS, Michael Hutchense (sp?) would be alive today.

-=Mike

[Guest INXS]

No no no anglesault - i didn't mean for Kerry to blow up Bush, that's absurd and wouldn't achieve anything anyway. I mean that those opposing Bush, whether Democrats or the American people in general regardless of political persuasion - may become so frustrated with his leadership that violence seems the only option left for them, especially if this years election is as dodgy as the previous one. I'm not advocating violence merely pointing out that it's a possibility such is the hatred and anger towards Bush.

 

As for MikeSC wishing me to be castrated..I find those threats to be deeply offensive. I don't like to be harrassed.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I'd sleep with one eye open tonight if I were you, Mike used to be a butcher...

[Guest MikeSC]

No no no anglesault - i didn't mean for Kerry to blow up Bush, that's absurd and wouldn't achieve anything anyway. I mean that those opposing Bush, whether Democrats or the American people in general regardless of political persuasion - may become so frustrated with his leadership that violence seems the only option left for them, especially if this years election is as dodgy as the previous one.

Yup, you need to be "fixed". Badly.

I'm not advocating violence merely pointing out that it's a possibility such is the hatred and anger towards Bush.

Anybody who thinks that's appropriate should be fixed.

As for MikeSC wishing me to be castrated..I find those threats to be deeply offensive. I don't like to be harrassed.

Cry me a river, eunuch.

-=Mike

[Styles 0]

Let me go on record saying any politician who's platform called for INXS to be castrated would not only get my vote but my undying loyalty and servitude for the rest of his or her life.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Congratulations, you're five posts too late

[BX 0]

It'll be okay INXS. Just stuff any sized portable phone into your pajamas tonight.

 

When Mike seeps through your windows to castrate you, the sight of the phone will be akin to throwing holy water in the face of Rick Santorum.

[Guest INXS]

I'm going to put a psoter of Micheal Moore above my bed - that'll scare him off.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Actually, that may arouse him.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Protestors are fucking idiots. Standing out there with their stupid little signs in the heat / cold thinking they're actually making a difference just by doing it just because apparantly they don't have a life. Its sad and funny to see happen at the time.