Large Protests in D.C. are selfish and take away needed resources.

[cali]

When hundreds of thousands of people descend on D.C. for protests against war or other government injustices, it costs millions of dollars in security costs. Ergo, we shouldn't hold large protests no matter how important the cause.

:sarcasm:

[leftstreet]

1. Protests should be on Wall Street, not DC

The Political Class serve only as a buffer between Us and Them. Protesting in DC is a waste of time.

[bluestateguy]

2. Many conservatives said just that in 2003-04, early in the Iraq War

Now of course some of the same people on the far left that are whining about the cost of the inauguration, screamed bloody murder when conservatives (unwisely) whined about the costs associated with anti-war protests.

[LaydeeBug]

8. perzactly. Acting like Republicans circa 2004 does NOT make you look like a good democrat. nt

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. I don't agree in full.

We need to get back to the days when a protest actually meant something. Nowadays, someone protests something every day. It can be easily argued that such saturation has created an environment where the protest accomplishes absolutely nothing. Having been on the Hill and worked in DC for my entire career, people don't even stop to find out what's being protested anymore. No one cares. In light of that, I do agree that they are effectively little more than selfish events that cost a lot of taxpayer money.

In light of that, and the monetary concerns cited, I think protests need to be much more carefully thought out and organized so as to have a far greater impact than they do today, and need to be much fewer in number.

[Occam Bandage]

4. Not to mention the economic damage caused by obstructing traffic.

Clearly, the right to peaceable assembly does not apply in an economic downturn.

[Runcible Spoon]

5. you could spin it the other way,

and say that those millions went to local businesses and some nice fat overtime for the maintenance, security and police details that went there.

I can think of much worse ways to spend millions, like just giving it away no questions asked to CEOs for their ill-deserved golden parachutes.

[Kahuna]

6. Good point. We need a protest to protest, protests...

:patriot:

[LaydeeBug]

7. Bullshit.

Large protests are a right of the people, no matter what their cause. And, as an American of PATRIOTIC virtue, I stand behind their RIGHT to protest no matter if I agree with their cause.

This whole OP sounds a little lock step, and fascist-y.

[cali]

9. sigh. sometimes I forget that many DUers are satire

and sarcasm impaired. I should have put in the sarc smiley. Sorry, I thought this one was obvious enough that I didn't need it.

[H2O Man]

11. Adding the "sarc smiley"

is a waste of money. Now you've done it.

Anyhow, you are wrong. People have no right to protest, or it would be included in the Constitution and to the republic for which it stands.

[cali]

13. I know. What can I say? I caved to the pressures of people thinking

I was serious about my OP.

:hi:

[NYC_SKP]

14. Next time you might need this:

SARCASM!!!!!!

Though I'll be it will still be missed by many.

:fistbump:

[LaydeeBug]

15. Thanks! The next time it is included in the OP, I will.

:hi:

[LaydeeBug]

17. These days, one can never be too sure.

I was left aghast at how many people think it is ok to throw our GLBT community under the bus for the sake of political expedience. Once something that basic is on shaky ground...you never know what some here are thinking.

[firedupdem]

10. Yep. Beginning with the Obama administration. We need to stop

this stuff now!

[democrank]

12. You`re exactly right, Cali.

I`m on Joe the Plumber`s side. Reporters shouldn`t report. Protestors shouldn`t protest. Conformity is as American as....well....outsourcing.

[JVS]

16. Can't they be held in Baltimore?

[Darpaek]

18. What a stupid reason not to exercise your rights...

[cali]

19. wow. even with the sarcasm tag

some of you don't get it. Pretty sad. And a wee bit scary.

[Undercurrent]

20. LOL

Well done!

[stuntcat]

21. R :p

I go to all the protests I can :headbang: