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It's not quite as bad as you make it out

Posted by: Kilroy ( USA ) on December 01, 1999 at 10:29:08:

In Reply to: WTO Summit: Let the Police Violence Begin posted by MDG on November 30, 1999 at 22:21:06:

: This just in: at the WTO Summit in Seattle, protesters chained themselves together and lay down in the road to disrupt the meetings. Illegal? Yes. Violent? No. So how did the police respond? They bombarded them with red pepper tear gas. Now maybe things will turn even more violent. Lesson: expect to be assaulted when you stand between big business and their profits.
I go to the University of Washington, in Seattle. It's not quite as bad as you make it out, in fact for most of the day things were pretty bland. This morning there was a disturbance in front of the Paramount where the opening ceremony was supposed to take place. Also a civil emergency was just declared so the police are getting a bit rougher. All around though the authorities aren't as rough as I thought they would be. The protestors did succeed in delaying the ceremony, but today is nothing compared to tomorrow when Pres. Clinton arrives. The shit will definitely hit the fan. My only complaint is that the demonstrators insist upon being totally non-violent (well most of them), which of course doesn't get anything done. Anyway, I'm watching on the news right now (6:30pm PST) and looks like the police are tightening up a bit, I'll keep you posted.

Follow Ups:

Non-violence is the only way MDG December 01 1999 (27)
- The WTO is an instrument of violence Samuel Day Fassbinder Citizens for Mustard Greens USA December 01 1999 (18)
  - So, are you advocating violence against them? MDG December 01 1999 (17)
    - Did you think I was an agent provocateur? (avoiding McS glitch this time for real) Samuel Day Fassbinder Citizens for Mustard Greens USA December 02 1999 (12)
      - Yes. Now go back to McDonalds, you corporate lackey. MDG December 02 1999 (11)
        
        The revolution will NOT be televised Samuel Day Fassbinder Citizens for Mustard Greens USA December 02 1999 (10)
        
        One sec, Sam. Farinata L'inferno December 02 1999 (1)
        
        Yeah, I know... Samuel Day Fassbinder Citizens for Mustard Greens USA December 03 1999 (0)
        
        Blow me. MDG December 02 1999 (7)
        
        Blow yourself! Samuel Day Fassbinder Citizens for Mustard Greens USA December 03 1999 (6)
        
        You still don't get it. MDG December 03 1999 (5)
        
        One more time Samuel Day Fassbinder Citizens for Mustard Greens USA December 04 1999 (0)
        
        Closer to the Spirit of Liberalism Samuel Day Fassbinder Citizens for Mustard Greens USA December 04 1999 (3)
        
        Why bother? MDG December 06 1999 (2)
        
        Why bother making oneself look good? Samuel Day Fassbinder Citizens for Mustard Greens USA December 11 1999 (1)
        
        Humanitarian intervention. MDG December 14 1999 (0)
    - Did you think I was an agent provocateur? (avoiding McS glitch) Samuel Day Fassbinder Citizens for Mustard Greens USA December 02 1999 (0)
    - Did you think I was an agent provocateur? Samuel Day Fassbinder Citizens for Mustard Greens USA December 02 1999 (0)
    - The Spectre of a Technological Dark Age Quincunx December 02 1999 (1)
      - in the end, all but a tiny minority will suffer, including the Frenchy Gorts. MDG December 02 1999 (0)
- And what if there is immediate violence? Farinata L'inferno December 01 1999 (7)
  - Martin vs. Malcolm MDG December 01 1999 (6)
    - Some small problems... Farinata L'inferno December 01 1999 (5)
      - Been there, done that. MDG December 01 1999 (4)
        
        You know how it feels, then? Farinata L'inferno December 02 1999 (3)
        
        Che Guevarra said something once MDG December 02 1999 (2)
        
        The times they *are* a-changing. Honest... Farinata L'inferno December 03 1999 (1)
        
        Perhaps they are. MDG December 03 1999 (0)