September 4 at 11:39PM
The Police Riot That Never Happened… But Then Actually Did
Here's some footage from Michael and my early evening amongst the America-hating socialist hippies and the fascist oinkers…
In all seriousness, I was impressed with the restraint shown on by sides.
And a little disappointed. I was really hoping to seeat least one skull bashed in. Is that too much to ask?
Update: Just emerged from our John McCain snoozefest bubble and realized that it looks like we left the scene just before a bunch of shit did go down. Damn it!
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!
Thanks to everyone in the comments for pointing out just how much we suck.
p.s. We suck.
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While I agree that this post/video may not be the whole story, I do want to say to the posts below me: Indecision 2008 does NOT = Daily Show. They've said on several blog posts that this site's main connection to Daily Show & Colbert is that they are all backed by Comedy Central; the writers/posters for this site are NOT the same writers/correspondents for Daily Show.
Just picking on a technicality, but if you're crit. someone for not giving all the facts, you should probably make sure your own facts/info is sound.
While I agree that this post/video may not be the whole story, I do want to say to the posts below me: Indecision 2008 does NOT = Daily Show. They've said on several blog posts that this site's main connection to Daily Show & Colbert is that they are all backed by Comedy Central; the writers/posters for this site are NOT the same writers/correspondents for Daily Show.
Just picking on a technicality, but if you're crit. someone for not giving all the facts, you should probably make sure your own facts/info is sound
i tipicaly keep it cool and you seem to be pg-13 and im rated R so your not permited! And i hope Iowagradstudent is a woman becaus i am heterosexual! -jake
Not to be offensive, but what is the point of your video?
You want to see actual police brutality? Check out the journalists and creative you don't book on the show.
http://theuptake.org/
http://www.democracynow.org/
http://the-uptake.groups.theuptake.org/en/videogalleryView/id/722/
http://the-uptake.groups.theuptake.org/en/videogalleryView/id/725/
Or don't do any research, and wear your armband proudly. Until they come for you….
This is pretty cool… Michael Moore seemed like he was being too quiet. Go Mike!
http://slackeruprising.com/
Thanks for everybody's coverage and courage. Unless one has been confronted with a show of force by cops in riot gear, they cannot understand the surreal fear that goes along with it. Yeah, this blog is a pisser, but, even innocent bloggers could have been hurt.
I've been in a riot before, and I recall a camerawoman being shot with a rubber bullet in the eye. Tear gas was dispersed in the crowd and I was just trying to get a donut. Apparently, a ton of arrests were made at the Rage concert. The footage Dennis and Michael provided tonight scared me. Dave Anderson covered the whole thing and came face to face with some serious shit, but I really think a lot of folks here missed the point.
Imagine being there. Imagine some idiot throws feces by you and the cops hose you down and take you to the clink deeming you guilty by association. Not so funny eh? Yet, satire helps expose the sheer lunacy of St. Paul (and possibly coordination by the G.O.P. to suppress opposing viewpoints). This was an almost Detroit situation; it very well could have been. I think the lack of coverage in the "mainstream media" is due to a fear that by showing it, more rioting might ensue. Not completely unreasonable, however, the public has a right to know. What no one has talked about is the very real possibility of intense rioting should Obama lose. The inner-cities. Mark my words. If he loses, fires will start.
I take my ski-mask off to you all. What if any of our boys got popped, hurt, trampled on, gassed, jailed, or had false charges levied against them. To an extent, they jeopardized not only their bodies, but perhaps, their livelihoods. Why? Innocent folks are found guilty all the time in America. Especially if prosecuted by a politician with an agenda. Perhaps there would be a paradoxical effect catapulting our bloggers to some media stratosphere (yet I'm certain they love this gig), but that misses the point. They were on the front lines, covering a dangerous story.
By "speaking truth to power" and signing their names to the articles, they are now probably in the cross-hairs of politicos throughout the country with really long memories. Certainly the staff on this blog who worked in Congress will tell you as much.
Meanwhile, we get to reap the benefits of the laughs they give to us. From taunting a cop in this article, to coming face to face with the riot squad, somehow, it makes us laugh. Piercing the satire and comic relief is of paramount importance to me in this long-winded post.
The point I was trying to make in the comment with anarchists and forming a group to protest was to point out the sheer inanity of the spin being put on it. These were not "anarchists." Anarchists just run amuck, wreaking havoc; without any point whatsoever by definition. It is a philosophy without a philosophy. Whoever spun this group into "anarchists" clearly masks the true intent of the protesters. An oxymoron. Some were protesting the findings of 9/11 (which is hogwash granted), others the war, the policies of the last eight years, etc. They were exercising their First Amendment rights. Someone masked that with the misnomer of "anarchists." A few might have been idiots, but I'd love to see the police reports. A broad brush was painted. By whom?
How many were arrested? What are the charges? Does anyone even realize, that merely by covering the situation, these folks could have been hurt? Physically.
Thanks again, and, I wish we could have had footage of skulls being bashed in too. It would have been funny. Yet, getting past the satire and my love for deranged disturbia, fucking kudos to you all. I'd like to repost this in the video posted tonight.
Innocents being harmed. Remember 1968. Remember what Bobby Kennedy died for. Remember to bring home tons of cigarettes to NYC.
Thanks again.
So if the protester that had a gun started shooting and several of the protesters and journalists had gotten wounded or killed, what would people be saying about the police officers for NOT doing anything then?
What if a protester shot Dennis, Michael, or Dave? Sadly, you missed the point. This intimidating, storm-trooper, show of force was over the top. This could have been handled in a milder fashion. Did you see the footage of the woman getting pepper sprayed in the face holding a flower? You don't get it. You can have security without exacerbating the situation. History ought teach us something. This campaign is a simply a re-litigation of Vietnam. And, an attempt to send us, with a McCain administration, to an era pre-1954 by virtue of altering the course of American history in The Supreme Court. The Dark Court I believe it was referred to. Roe? Gone. Miranda Rights? Gone, and not just for the GTMO folks. I mention 1954 because that's when Brown v. Board was handed down. Look at the balance of The Court. Scalia, Alito, Roberts, and Thomas. Stevens is on his last legs. Ginsburg is ailing supposedly. Rumors are abound Breyer is stepping down. The Court's will be packed with ultra-conservative judges catapulting into a police state. This scene is merely a microcosm of things to come with a McCain administration. The President's power to appoint federal judges is the single greatest issue facing us.
You want a police state? Here's a glimpse into the future posted on the Countdown to Election Day 84. Doublespeak is just the beginning and McCain proved that this evening. Eavesdropping into our conversations. The FOUR HORSEMAN I mentioned earlier do not even believe the Constitution contains any right to privacy. Aside from abortion, think of the impact that philosophy would espouse. Your bedroom. Your children's ability to get prophylactics. Creationism taught in school at the detriment of something called science. The First Amendment will be curtailed. Along with the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth. Civil Rights legislation was based on The Commerce Clause and a case about barbecue in Alabama and not equal protection. Say goodbye to fundamental rights with a new court. Goodbye Freedom of the Press. Say hello to tightening of the internet. Imagine a censored Indecision. Why take the risk? The ECPA has been replaced by The Patriot Act. This could be the beginning of the end of civil liberties. Orwell was only twenty-four years off. WAKE UP.
Why was my previous comment deleted?
LK, you're distinction is rather demeaning. Comedy Central is Coedy Central.. why would we all be here on "indecision 2008" if not for the Daily Show and Colbert Report?
More stories:
Here, this is CNN… watch as the cops hit this lady repeat4edly with their bicycles AFTER blinding her with pepper spray.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/05/rnc.protests/index.html?eref=rss_topstories#cnnSTCVideo
And here's a report from Minnesota Independent on the hopelessness fo the situation:
http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7691/if-you-are-on-this-bridge-you-are-under-arrest
I just watched the 9/17 daily show episode and though I generally love the show I was seriously offended by what john stewart was saying…no he wasn't joking. He lumped all 30,000 (or so) protesters of the RNC in Minnesota and all the protesters of the WTO in Seattle with "Anarchists". Labeling a diverse and mainly peaceful crowd with a throw away term reinforces the line most of the media his show lampoons represents. This kind of speech is worthy of the current administration. I thought John was at least better than that.