}

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Minnesota a fascist state?



Police at the Republican National Convention want you to believe that they’re upholding law and order. Are they? Or are they deliberately suppressing free speech and democratic rights?

When self-styled anarchists supposedly rioted, the mainstream press dutifully reported the official line. Was it true? I’m beginning to wonder. The video above is of Amy Goodman, the host of “Democracy Now!” being arrested for "conspiracy to riot". Yeah, right. Amy was later released, but other journalists remained imprisoned.

Obviously police who uphold the law have my total respect. They do a dangerous job and seldom get the thanks they deserve. But police who seek to suppress democracy and freedom of speech do not. They and the politicians who order that suppression should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If police at the RNC can’t tell the difference between the exercise of democratic rights and crime, they have no businesses wearing the uniform.

Freedom of the press? Prove it, Minnesota. Or are you just another Bush-Cheney tool?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I keep reading your blog looking for some educated original thinking. May I suggest you do some research into what you are supposing to be facts rather than being a parrot spouting others views. I am no big fan of Alex Jones but he does have his points and has been talking about this happening for well over a decade. Move along... nothing new here to see. All of the politicos are tools. The labels change to give you the idea you have a choice but that is not the case. These elections are already decided. Ombamas fate is not his own doing. And I am all for gay rights. It eliminates the reproduction.

Arthur Schenck said...

I'm not quite sure what your point was, whether it was to simply insult me, to promote Jones or a world view I don't subscribe to.

If it was meant to insult me personally, it's kind of pointless. Anyone who has a blog or other online presence will sooner or later run across those who can't stand them or what they say. Big deal. Goes with the territory. No one is required to read this blog and they're free to stay away if they want.

Better that people contribute to the debate by presenting alternative views and verifiable fact. Which brings me to Jones: I consider him a crackpot (though anyone who takes on Michelle Malkin can't be all bad). I'm not going to refute him or his ideas because to do so would require far too much time for what is for me simply a diversion, not a job.

The suppression of freedom has indeed been going on for a long time, and this isn't the first political convention or RNC where this has happened, and it won't be the last. Bush/Cheney's "Patiot" Act enshrined the suppression of civil rights and freedom into law, leading to daily assaults on liberty throughout the US.

I don't share your view that all politicians are the same apart from labels. Nor do I buy the viewpoint that all politicians are part of some sort of global conspiracy to promote interests of corporations. That some do doesn't mean that they're all like that.

Nor do I accept that Obama's fate is sealed. To be sure, just like George Bush, the McCain Campaign will do everything in it can to retain power, and they're likely to pay little attention to laws if they get in the way of their objective. But that's as far as I go with conspiracy theories.

My teachers and professors would probably be insulted at the implication that they failed, but I'm sure they're quite capable of defending themselves. That you don't find my thinking original is an insult neither to them nor me. That perception is in the minds of others, outside my control. That doesn't make my thinking uneducated or unoriginal just because someone doesn't agree with them. It would be intellectually dishonest to go running after the newest fad just seem "original".

and finally, speaking of unoriginal thinking, your departing crack: Over the years I've known many, many gay and lesbian parents who have quite successfully reproduced. I've also known plenty of heterosexual couples who have no children. But I support the rights of those heterosexuals, anyway.

Anonymous said...

It is refreshing to see a thought out reply and no I am not insulting you. I dont know about conspiracy theories but I do think you are being very naive. Having said that , thanks for writing back, I may not agree with all you say , but will defend to the last measure your right to say it.

Arthur Schenck said...

but will defend to the last measure your right to say it

See? We agree on one thing at least!