Who heard or saw Democracy Now on the Miami protest? Warning for NYC 9/04*

[BurtWorm]

Who knew that the guy in charge of the Miami police, who sprayed protesters with rubber bullets and pepper spray, was in charge of the Philadelphia police during the 2000 Republican convention? Tom Hayden, who led a group of Harvard students to witness the FTAA talks (which he said were a disaster for the US), also witnessed his students getting pushed to the ground and arrested as they left the meetings unarmed and walking with their hands up and facing the phalanx of officers. Hayden said protesters planning to be in New York for the next RNC better be prepared. They're not going to let a single Republican's day be spoiled by the sight of dissent.

[BurtWorm]

1. Kick

[theorist]

2. I saw it, and I'm very concerned.

I plan to go to NYC at the end of August for the RNC, but I'm afraid that the militaristic tactics that they will employ are going to deter many from going. We can probably use the fact that they will be acting in this manner to convince others to attend. Solidarity has overcome oppression in the past.

Side note:
In order to arrest hundreds of thousands of protestors, the police will have to set up "camps" to hold them. How will the public react to this (assuming it is covered by the press)? I think we have a chance.

[BurtWorm]

3. See what a bind we're in when the press is on the side of the powerful?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

4. The press was relatively free in '68-I fear that

only the independent and foreign media will cover any atrocities during the '04 RNC. I plan to be in NYC also.

[BurtWorm]

5. The press was also attacked in '68.

Nixon considered them his enemy in 1972. Rove has contempt for them too, but this time, they're utterly deserving of it.

The most disturbing thing about this segment of Democracy Now was the discussion about the Miami police's use of "embedded" journalists--photgraphers and reporters dressed up in black flak jackets and riot helmets. They learned how pliant the media can be when you give them the "right" to observe from the point of power.

[theorist]

6. War as Sport

I've feared since the recent Invasion of Iraq that the use of embedded reporters will turn the reporting of war toward the methods used by sports journalists. When war has been reduced to the simplicity of sports, where there is the illusory presence of rules and referees (which are totally absent from warfare), then viewers are forced to take sides. It is then easy to control the side that viewers will support, and believe me: when the score comes down to casualties, the underdog will have few fans.

[BurtWorm]

8. I also wonder why these reporters were out in the riot and not

covering the embarrassing proceedings inside...

[Terwilliger]

7. Watch out, Burt!

Your post could be nothing but an attempt to bash Clark!

[BurtWorm]

9. You saw through me?

;)

[BurtWorm]

10. kick