Absolutely agree. The point at which "free speech" means burning cop cars and breaking store fronts is where I agree there should be ordinances against masks and bandanas on the protesters.
By this token, if the agency can be printed on the back of the flack jackets, why can't the badge number be printed on the front. Just as there are rogues in the unwashed's ranks, there might be overzealous in the blue ranks. Now take pictures of everything... not just newsweek and the leftpress. There's a reason there are videocams on cruisers... that blade cuts both ways, and it's not a bad thing.
I don't think it's a great stretch of the imagination to envision the right on the receiving end of the baton sometime in the future.
Agreed completely. As we saw during the Clinton years, this type of scrutiny can be turned on conservatives (pro-lifers, pro-gun groups, etc.) if the powers-that-be happen to be liberals. The question we should ask ourselves is would we support similar actions by the government if those actions were aimed at groups we agree with?
I have to grit my teeth and say that the anti-war protestors have every right to PEACEABLE assembly and to petition the government. Now, once they cross the line and start engaging in vandalism, arson etc., the law should come down on them with both feet.