That Philly thing that's circulating, guys with a nightstick.

[NYC_SKP]

I don't call it intimidation for the two black dudes to stand in front of the polling place, bad judgement maybe, but they were not talking to voters and the white dude with the cell phone video pretty much started to challenge them. I'm talking about the same video on youtube, the audio of which is on Rush's radio show. They seem like peaceful residences of the housing complex who are not disrupting anything (unless you're intimidated by black men standing on the sidewalk.)

But, When did breitbart become a haven for David Duke types and freepers?

http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=213313&comments=1#comments

The comments are outrageous.

[fed_up_mother]

1. If he's holding a weapon, that's intimidation in my book

[avaistheone1]

38. I have no problem with these 2 gentlemen, but carrying the batons is a big mistake.

IMO

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. There are always cops assigned to polls in NYC.

What about Philly?

[MNDemNY]

3. Please do not attempt a defense of this.

[BeFree]

12. What?

Are you saying they are guilty? Guilty until proven innocent? Say it ain't so!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

16. Don't you understand? They raped that white women.! Carved up her face!

How dare you, sir! They... wait... what? This isn't the Ashley Todd case?

Well, they're still black and frightening, so there!

[MNDemNY]

33. I saw the video, it did not look good.

One man tapping a nightstick in his hand? c'mon if these were white bald guys you might be singing a different tune..

[NYC_SKP]

58. True, bad idea, but I hope you heard the conversation they had....

....with the fucker who went there to, I think, provoke them and video it, then send the video to Fox and Drudge.

They were calm, professional, polite, even if the stick was a bad idea. They were not there to make trouble, but the camera guy was.

Don't you think it's interesting? Who really is the bad guy here?

[MNDemNY]

60. I did. But, such a display was a very bad choice.

Unneeded, and the police , it seems, made the correct call

[NYC_SKP]

14. I did not and am not. It's just that it's not so outrageous as to warrant the responses.

The nightstick was poor judgement, the militaristic uniforms, too.

The post is about the comments, you should read them or not, but this post is not in defense of their decision to be there.

Thanks much.

[MNDemNY]

36. It looked BAD, there is no reason for such a display.

[NYC_SKP]

85. Absolutely, but I think the intent was never to intimidate voters but rather to..

express a "not this time" attitude and make the voters of what looks like a large housing development feel secure.

Again, I'm listening to what they said to the idiot who went there to try to provoke them, and they were very sedate about it.

Also, I rode the subways when Louis Sliwa's Red Beret squad often rode them and while they also looked militant, I always felt a little safer.

We agree, in the end, that the baton was really bad thinking, and if you read the breitbart comments, the reaction way over the top.

:thumbsup:

[Athens30603]

4. I saw a picture of one of them

And he had on para-military gear and was holding a nightstick. That could possibly intimidate someone. The same way having cops at the entrance to a polling place might intimidate someone.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. Para-military gear?

Bit of an exaggeration.

[Athens30603]

11. I don't think so

Black beret, nightstick, combat boots, black military field jacket and military pants. Sounds pretty para-military to me. But, to each his own.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

13. Pants. Sweatshirt. Heavy coat.

Typical November attire.

[Athens30603]

15. we must've seen two different pictures. n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

19. Nope.

You're just exaggerating.

[Athens30603]

23. Hold on. Let me try to find the one I saw.n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

25. Video's here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neGbKHyGuHU

You wouldn't be calling it "paramilitary" if white guys dressed like that.

[Athens30603]

34. Well, that effectively ends that conversation. n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

43. Consider this whole issue was debunked as racist garbage beforehand...

there wasn't much of a conversation to start with.

[NYC_SKP]

37. Most interesting, they are very polite and softspoken in their conversation...

...with the asshole who went there with the camera to provoke them, then share it with Fox and Drudge.


Fucker.

[Athens30603]

30. Here it is.

This is all I've seen. Looks para-military to me.
<img src="" alt="image hosted by ImageVenue.com">

[blondeatlast]

61. I'd say you are just a tad overly sensitive--I watched the whole video. Much ado about

horseshit.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

65. There was a recent story about a kid drawing a Halloween picture...

of a vampire with drops of blood coming out of his eyes. The teacher thought the drops of blood represented the number of the small black child's murder victims, so she had him expelled and referred to psychological testing.

Are you sure you're not that teacher?

[Athens30603]

18. we must've seen two different pictures. n/t

[NYC_SKP]

24. The clothes are inconsequential, the nightstick was poor judgement.

And the polling place looked like a large housing project.

I highly doubt that any of the residents would be intimidated, it's not Palm freakin Beach!

I'm going to assume that they are excited, but cautiously so, about the prospect of a black president and this is how they chose to express their defense and deep concern.

If you listened to them speaking with the little shitstain who tried to challenge them, you'll find them to be softspoken and polite.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

56. There was a crazy guy coming at him.

I'm glad he had the night stick.

[NYC_SKP]

89. Very true! nt

[progressivebydesign]

28. You didn't see the same pic. Black pants tucked into military style boots, etc..

You didn't see the video we're talking about. He was wearing a very paramilitary style outfit, both dressed similarly. Reminded me of the "Guardian Angels", but wearing all black.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

55. Which paramilitary group has those slick leather jackets?

I'd like to join up.

[blondeatlast]

62. My husband would like me to join up!

:rofl:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

64. I didn't know Nordstroms was a para-military black market arms supplier.

:eyes:

[blondeatlast]

79. Nordstrom, no--Express Men, yes. Agent Mike told me personally (oops). nt

[NYC_SKP]

94. It's a good look, the all black "ready for anything" look.

It's making a comeback...

I say go for it!

[blondeatlast]

63. My husband would like me to join up!

:rofl:

[MNDemNY]

41. No, not at all.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

51. That's true.

When I say "exaggeration" I mean "bullshit."

[progressivebydesign]

26. As a 7-year DUer, I thought the paramilitary dress and nightstick was a BAD idea!

The guy had on military style boots, pants tucked in, a beret, and a nightstick.

People like to jump all over anyone with a differing opinion. But if that guy looked exactly like Joe the Plumber, and was standing in the same outfit with a stick, we'd all be screaming about brownshirts.

It was a matter of judgement, and it would be intimidating to many voters.. regardless of their intent, who they supported, or their race. No one asked for "security" at the polling places. The stick was over the top.

[NYC_SKP]

44. Yep, bad idea, just as I said...

The clothes, well, a throwback to Black Panthers and certainly intimidating to whites but probably not shocking to the actual people going to that place to vote.

I do not approve of the choices they made.

And the thread really is about the shocking comments more than the two dudes.

I'm not sure many got that far. :shrug:

[nyc 4 Biden]

71. I don't think cops at polls are intimidating.

As Paulho said above, every pol in nyc has a cop stationed there and I think it is a good idea to dissuade some tomfoolery.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. The black guy in question is a registered poll watcher.

The cameraman is a known freeper.

[Athens30603]

8. Poll watchers carry nightsticks? Why? n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. Self defense.

:shrug:

[avaistheone1]

67. Still a bad idea. Better to take phones, cameras and lots of friends.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

76. Looks like the guy had lots of friends to me.

And considering he was confronted by some racist loony, I'm glad he had the nightstick.

[progressivebydesign]

31. No. His friend was a registered poll watcher. the guy with the stick was asked to leave.

They have rules about standing out there if you have no business there. His friend was the watcher... the one with the stick was not. There were two.

[rinsd]

7. Its a mild version of Ashley Todd. Its a right wing scam.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. I wouldn't call it mild.

[rinsd]

17. I was searching for a better word.

Mild likely is not it.

But I still consider the Todd incident to be worse.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

21. Could you explain?

I mean, they're both clear attempts at race baiting and phony attempts at voter suppression in attempt to influence the polls.

[rinsd]

35. Perhaps its the comical follow up in light of the Todd incident.

I was skeptical of Todd when the incident first happened and was downright doubtful as soon as the photo showed up.

This incident? I laughed it off even before the video came out and then I laughed even more.

[Chovexani]

50. Operation Scare Whitey is in full effect

Not surprising that DU is falling for it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

66. No need to smear all of DU.

It's just the usual suspects.

[Chovexani]

69. I'm feeling pretty cynical about this place lately.

I don't think I've seen this much blinding dumb around here in a while.

[stillcool]

20. They're black people..

and their scary. I bet we'll be freeped tonight by lots of scary black people stories.

[cliffordu]

22. yawn.

[NYC_SKP]

27. The story is a yawner, but the comments are really nasty.

They make a Freep thread look like ice cream, there are probably criminal statements among them.

I've sent an email to someone who knows how to report such things, thought I'd see what others here think.

At least one of them needs a nap! :hi:

[cliffordu]

32. Oops. I need to read whole posts and links and nap before I run off at the mouth...

Sorry!!

:hi:

( I would have done all of the above if I'd read your name - I know you always have the good dope.)

[NYC_SKP]

42. LOL...

Thanks for clearing that up... :toast:

It's pie night...

[cliffordu]

45. yep - And I have my cranky on after all this...sheeit, I feel like I'm a mile and a

half from finishing a marathon.....

maybe I DO need a nap.....I have pie enroute!!!!

[MarthaMyDear]

29. What a load of crap!

lol that David Duke hangs out there...what a spokesman for McCain/Palin!

[dissemination]

39. Why defend a man with a weapon!! You look beyond silly.

[stillcool]

46. Did you see this?

....smells like Ashley Todd...is she still in the neighborhood?

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1108/Poll_problems_and_poll_problem_spin.html
ONE FOOTNOTE: The McCain camp also sent out, and Drudge is driving, the story of Black Panthers allegedly intimidating voters at a Philadelphia poll site. The story is disputed; indeed, it's such a heavily Democratic precinct (90% in 2004) that it wouldn't make a huge amount of sense for Obama backers to intimidate anyone there.

But more broadly, I wonder what the goal of pushing that one is (regardless of its details, which will likely be untangled tomorrow in the Philadelphia press). On one hand, the idea that Democrats are up to dirty tricks may energize the Republican base; on the other, I'm not sure warnings of physical danger are the best way to get marginal Republicans to the polls.

[NYC_SKP]

59. You really miss the point. Who took the video, who did he send it to?

What the fuck was he doing there and how did it get to drudge and fox.

Think a little harder, now who looks silly?

And welcome to DU, assuming you're sincere in coming here.

[Dappleganger]

40. Whoever they were, they do look intimidating.

Whether or not they have a right to be there, I don't know. But they were wearing para-military garb and look liked they were guarding something.
Why do polling places need bouncers??

I do think it was way blown out of proportion, however. The guy w/the camera was looking for a story to make his career.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

47. They scare you, huh?

That says more about you than it does about them.

[NYC_SKP]

53. Interesting isn't it?

Having lived in a lot of inner city run down places, and amongst the red beret dudes in NY when they were on trains, I'm not bothered by this.

If anything, I'd feel safer with these guys on a dark street than without.

Says a lot about folks, doesn't it, this shocking response to the scary black men?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

57. It neatly divides the world into people who are knee-jerk racists...

and people who are not necessarily knee-jerk racists.

[Dappleganger]

72. Once again, you are assuming a LOT about me.

Try asking questions about why instead of jumping to conclusions.

I would like to know why they felt the need to be there, standing around like bouncers. Was anyone else intimidating voters? Were there attorneys there to witness what was going on?
Giant white guys in fatigues=skin heads in my view, I would have been even more scared. Yeah, maybe if I'd grown up in city it would have made it easier. Please don't fault me for that.

Please, don't be like the republicans and pidgeonhole someone so fast.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

77. Once again?

Have I met you in one of your previous DU incarnations?

[NYC_SKP]

91. They weren't intimidating anyone, gee have you ever lived in a big city...

I lived on the lower east side of new york for eight years, two guys dressed like that wouldn't have given me a worry at all and I'd probably feel safer if they were on a subway train with me.

[Dappleganger]

68. You don't know me.

A wiser person would have asked 'why' than jumping to conclusions.

*Anyone* who is in fatigues, one with a baton would make me look twice.
And no, I'm not a racist. We are the same side here.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

78. Yeah, I do.

Yeah, you are.

[stillcool]

49. I think it's another Ashley Todd Story..

ONE FOOTNOTE: The McCain camp also sent out, and Drudge is driving, the story of Black Panthers allegedly intimidating voters at a Philadelphia poll site. The story is disputed; indeed, it's such a heavily Democratic precinct (90% in 2004) that it wouldn't make a huge amount of sense for Obama backers to intimidate anyone there.

But more broadly, I wonder what the goal of pushing that one is (regardless of its details, which will likely be untangled tomorrow in the Philadelphia press). On one hand, the idea that Democrats are up to dirty tricks may energize the Republican base; on the other, I'm not sure warnings of physical danger are the best way to get marginal Republicans to the polls.

[Dappleganger]

74. I wondered that, too. This story has become way bigger than its worth, for sure.

[NYC_SKP]

48. OP is about the COMMENTS on BREITBART, not the two guys so much.

Thanks very much.

[PretzelWarrior]

52. now Whities know how black people have felt all those years

[NYC_SKP]

54. Fucking hey...

And having heard them speak with the shithead who went there with camera to provoke them, I'd say they sounded really nice and polite and were there with good intentions.

:patriot:

[Chovexani]

70. lol

:thumbsup:

[iiibbb]

73. DU defending people carrying weapons at a polling location... pretty pathetic.

[EFerrari]

75. DU falling for racist right wing propaganda, disgraceful

:puke:

[iiibbb]

80. Was that not a polling location? Was the man with the baton a plant?

The guy with the camera is the aggressor? When is a guy with a camera an aggressor?


Sorry. Baton + Polling Location = Not Necessary + Bad Idea

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

81. No, he was a registered poll watcher.

"The guy with the camera is the aggressor?"

Yes.

"When is a guy with a camera an aggressor?"

After about the tenth time this guy's made false allegations of voter intimidation, fraud, etc. You'd think after calling ACORN a front for pedophiles you would give the guy so much credibility.

"Sorry. Baton + Polling Location = Not Necessary + Bad Idea"

(racist propaganda + DU)/already debunked = bad idea

[iiibbb]

82. I don't care if the guy was "registered". A weapon in front of a polling location is a bad idea.

If he felt the need to have it... he could put it under his coat... or over in the bushes...

whatever.

If the guy shooting the video is an asshat... fine... that doesn't negate the guy with the stick being an asshat.

[iiibbb]

84. double post

double post

[EFerrari]

83. Save it. You might need it later to use on someone who is stupid. n/t

[NYC_SKP]

87. Thanks, it seems the point of the OP was way over some heads.

Two points:

First, the really scary comments on breitbart was the main point (though many probably didn't look at those, choosing instead to be all concerned about the two black guys).

Second, the real asshole and disruptor with the camera who clearly went there to provoke them, then provided the video to youtube and/or Fox and Drudge is the bad guy here.

Both points are waaaay more important than the provocative clothes and dumb idea to carry a baton.

I learned a lot from the responses here, some just don't get it.

I'm glad you do!

[HughMoran]

86. yawn

You'd think there was nothing exciting going on tonight!

[NYC_SKP]

88. Et tu, HughMoran?

See cliffordu's exchange with me.

The point isn't the guys in black, it's the evil comments on breitbart and the fact that a dude went there with a camera to provoke them.

The video made it to Fox, to Drudge, to Rush, and it's pretty on topic if anyone is interested in dirty tricks.

Of course, not everyone is....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7757001&mesg_id=7757323

:hi:

[HughMoran]

90. I don't care about this story even a tiny little bit

We're counting results now!!!!!!!!!!

[NYC_SKP]

92. I can't stand it....How are we doing?

I just got out of my car...

[HughMoran]

93. I dunno - I'm afraid to turn on my TV until something is known

But on DU it's a bunch of novices posting stupid 1% in numbers & freaking out, so I'm @ 538.com for real analysis.