Posted on 08/31/2004 6:15:38 AM PDT by Peach
This is the thread for Day Two of the RNC Convention.
I was listening to her. Powerful words indeed. Holocaust survivor. Her chiseled features and wide smile reminded me of Audrey Hepburn.
Thank you very much.
Chris Wallace on Fox really liked the twins.
COMMITTEE FOR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
206-329-7413 mtc2010usa@hotmail.com
Contact: Mark Taylor-Canfield
206-329-7413
CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS WARN THAT REPUBLICAN NATIONAL
CONVENTION IN NEW YORK COULD TURN INTO ANOTHER
CHICAGO DNC OR SEATTLE WTO STYLE CONFRONTATION
BETWEEN DEMONSTRATORS AND POLICE
A CALL FOR RESTRAINT ON THE PART OF NEW YORK AND
FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Given the intensity of feeling of some of the
demonstrators who will protest the 2004 Republican National Convention in September,
and the heightened security on the part of local andfederal authorities due to perceived
terrorist threats, an unfortunate confrontation may bebrewing in New York City. The USA has not been thispolitically polarized since the Vietnam
War era. Many on the left feel that their civil rightsare being taken away by a militaristic undemocraticadministration. Those on the far right accuse the demonstrators of being traitors and anti-American.Tensions are high and tolerance is in short supply onboth sides. Civil rights groups in New York and aroundthe country are worried that police and demonstrators
may clash on a grand scale.
The Committee For Government Accountability has
studied most of the major protests since Seattle's
anti-WTO demonstrations in 1999 and found that
increasingly militarized US police agencies have
attacked crowds on numerous occasions with rubber
bullets, projectile weapons, chemical agents and other
so-called "less lethal" weapons which can cause
serious injury and death to demonstrators and
bystanders. In many of these cases people's
constitutionally guaranteed rights were violated anddue process was not followed. Major federal lawsuitshave been filed nationally and civil
rights groups have condemned these actions. The latestexample was the anti-FTAA protests in Miami wheretasers and other weapons were used on activists. The devices caused major injuries.
Many civil rights organizations are worried that thesedevices may be used against demonstrators in New York during the convention. The Committee
For Government Accountability has contacted Mayor
Bloomberg and the NYPD and informed them of our
concerns. So far we have received no official
response.
In New York City protest organizers were forced to gothrough a long period of difficult negotiations with municipal officials just to secure a location for the protest events due to the city's high security mentality. The site
that was given to them is quite distant from the
actual convention center. This may be a mistake sincemany of the demonstrators feel that they
are being kept away from the convention for politicalreasons. Their frustration could culminate in acts of civil disobedience in the name of the First Amendment.The Mayor and the Police Chief have set an authoritarian tone on the part of the city.Once again security concerns are being weighed against freedom of Speech in
the US.
If law enforcement agencies overreact to non-violentacts of civil disobedience or small groups of agitators, the situation could spin out
of control quickly. Event organizers are expecting
huge crowds at the protests. People will be attending from all over the nation and
large bus caravans are planned. In Seattle we
witnessed the use of excessive amounts of gas
and other weapons against demonstrators. It did not stop the demonstrations but only served to incite more protests. Police assaulted innocent bystanders and members of the media and people's constitutional rights to freedom of speech and due process were violated on a mass scale. These tactics were repeated in Miami. In 1968 Chicago police rioted during the Democratic National Convention resulting in serious civil rights
abuses and injuries to protesters, media and bystanders.
What we must avoid as a nation is the impression thatstrong opinions are not tolerated in the US. If we are to regain our much-damaged reputation as a "free country" then authorities in New York must exercise self-control and avoid overzealous physical assaults on protesters. Mass arrests without due process will only show that America does not tolerate dissent. The worst case scenario would be another Kent State or Jackson State type of incident where demonstrators were killed. In these turbulent times, the country
can not afford an incident which could cause civil
unrest, resulting in a compromised security situation.
We call upon New York City municipal and law
enforcement agencies,federal authorities, and the demonstrators to exercise restraint during the
Republican National Convention. Acts of violence or property damage by protesters would only alienate thepublic and turn the voters against
their cause. Any violation of people's
constitutionally guaranteed rights by
the authorities will hurt the Republican party. It
would also damage New York City's reputation as a tolerant community, and seriously undermine civil
political discussion in the nation. We must show the rest of the world that dissent is actually patrioticin the US and that it is respected by law enforcement agencies.
For a full report on the Seattle 1999 WTO protests, enter "Committee For Local Government Accountability" into any good search engine.
You're right, you don't get it. The twins were normal 21 year old girls, in striking contrast to the freaked out pompous pratricians that Kerry calls daughters. Therefore normal people will like them, and vote for their dad. This convention isn't targeting the bourbon-sipping ideologues.
Gore had it right: Everything UP is DOWN and everything DOWN is UP.
I hope people heard her.
It seems all anyone wishes to speak about tonight are the Twins.
She made a compelling case drawing in history that afflicted the jewish people.
People without children will never understand children, even 22 year-old almost adult children who are trying to spread their wings.
The ridicule of the girls on here is neanderthal.
I'm listening; and he HATED Teresa's speech and said so!
And we all know HE'S a liberal, right? Guess they hit their mark, eh?
I do, however, need a nap. So I'll catch you all tomorrow!
C-Span carries it live. Go to cspan.com.
INDIANS 22 22 1 YANKEES 0 5 0
And thats our new "GREEN" team
Which will matter to NOBODY on November 3. You are buying into the 24 hour media cycle analysis big time. Foolish waste of energy....
Ah, they were in NY and like it or not, "Sex in the City" was very popular if stupid. Heck, I watched it every week just for the fun of it!
Pundits are saying that Laura and the twins didn't help.
We are not 'pundits'. We love the Bush's!
You are so right. What is wrong with having family members speaking? I thought they did a wonderful job. Guess I have been around young people enough to appreciate what they are and who they are. Why pick on them?
My favorate Hymn They were great!!
Yo gotta love this place.
Sink, you taking my bet? I will narrow it to the morning shows - Katie will be on the twins like ugly on an ape
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