Will Rove try to incite violence at the RNC?

[gardenista]

They're running scared so the real dirty trick playbook is about to be deployed.

I'm concerned that they'll hire thugs to incite violence at the convention, in order to label all anti-Bush protestors as violent.

What do you think?

[EstimatedProphet]

1. I wouldn't put it past them

but I wouldn't put anything past them

[jjmalonejr]

2. GOP strategists WANT there to be trouble

Every TV image of freaks, hippies, and anarchists protesting Bush scares the bejeebus out of Middle America swing voters.

[gardenista]

9. OK, so what do we do to counter this? Should we be concerned?

[jjmalonejr]

14. There's nothing WE can do...

...other than appeal to protesters to keep their demonstrations respectful and non-violent.

Sure, police can be heavy-handed and should be criticized for it, but baiting police officers to get the desired negative response from them is not productive.

Sure, disruptive demonstrations get more attention, but I question whether that attention is productive.

I am a proud defender of freedom of speech and freedom to assemble, but I hope that people whose goal is to unseat Bush get can beyond their outrage and play it smart. I'm not saying people should stay home, but turning convention protests into a riot does not help our cause.

[gardenista]

18. But, like they were at the SF anti-war protests, the so-called

"Anarchists" will be there in force.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that some of these "demonstrators" who did not join in the actual ant-war marches, which were peaceful, but had their own "breakaway" marches, during which bottles were thrown, windows were broken, etc., will be there in force, and will give all demonstrators a bad name.

[Fovea]

17. put code pink

in the front ranks.
Or conversely really give them the melee they desire.
There is a big medieval war with 10k boys and girls in armor one state away...

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

15. I agree with you.

I have turned down an opportunity to go and protest because I look like someone Middle America would be freaked out by (not a freak -- just tattooed and pierced), and I don't want to become an image of Sen. Kerry's side that makes the news and causes the working-class Cleaver families to go, "SEE?"

[gardenista]

19. I think you should protest if you want to, pierced or not. eom

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

26. I disagree.

There are so many people on the fence. So many blue-collar, working families who would look at me and see a freak. I don't want to be the reason they are scared of "us."

[gardenista]

28. Well, of course it's up to you, but if you aren't wearing a black bandana

around your face, then I'd be happy to march right next to ya! I'd probably balance you out, being a sort of Elizabeth Edwards type!

Wish I could go to NY.

[Trekologer]

29. If you go, dress respectfully

Don't wear a t-shirt and jeans. Wear something nicer like a collared shirt and kacki pants with a Kerry/Edwards button. Its hard to spin protesters as freaks, hippies, and anarchists when they don't look that way.

[Eric J in MN]

3. Republican Mayor Bloomberg is aleady banning protestors from

using Central Park, to push protestors onto the sidewalks where clashes are more likely.

[AlCzervik]

11. He can ban all he wants but i dont think it's going to stop the protestors

actually they're patriots.

[lottie244]

4. I don't really think he will need to "incite it."

It will come from the freaked out RWingers who are so enraged at their own duplicity they will turn on themselves.

[4morewars]

5. They already have them....

they're called cops. aka "agent provocateur" We saw them doing it in Miami, but it's an old trick.

[Eric J in MN]

21. Right. At Miami during the FTAA, , a cop disguised as a protestor

shoved a real protestor, and then when he shoved back, the cop tasered him.

[JohnnyRingo]

6. I think that may distract from their big hoe-down

I'm not sure they want the cameras to run out of Madison Square to cover the fun. That would absorb 15min of every hour of coverage.

Still...I've seen a lot of Rove decisions that didn't seem thought out.

[Bush was AWOL]

7. I'm actually really worried about the protesting at the RNC

I think if there is a lot of violence, which I think there could be, it will be blamed on the anti-Bush crowd-who will be referred to as liberals.

[elehhhhna]

12. an attempt by AL Q to break up convention--

giving GW an opportunity to react strongly (per script) AND proving that AQ hates GW. Voila!

[soothsayer]

8. but didtn' that mess up the chicago dem convention once upon

a time?

I don't think they'd want a replay. It was disatrous for the dems, wasn't it?

[gardenista]

13. I actually think it would be very good for them.

Remember, they are all about making people fearful.

If they succeed in making people frightened of anti-Bush people, they'll become more solidly ensconced in the Bush camp.

[boobooday]

10. Did you hear about what one of the Faux News creeps said?

I read this on media matters or something -- they had video. He was interviewing the NYC police chief, and he asks, all eagerly, "When is it okay to whack 'em around?"

The police chief, wisely, says "never," even if that wasn't what he was thinking, but the Faux newsman persists:

"Seriously, if they refuse to move? When can you whack them around?"

Police Chief: "Uh, we follow the laws of the state and the constitution . . blah blah . . . no whacking."

Faux newsman: "I hate protesters!"

They can't wait.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[Eric J in MN]

22. I doubt that when Fox News shows an

anti-abortion protest, he says, "I hate protestors" on the air.

[billybob537]

16. Listen UP

If you want to overcome violence it takes non-violence. Ghandi beat the British government, Hippies beat the Viet Nam war with
non-violence. It's time for allout non-violence.

[gardenista]

20. I hear you. How do we make sure that is the case?

[shraby]

23. Every one who goes and has a

video camera should take it with them. The more video cameras, the better chance of catching any action as it starts and the ones who start a confrontation can be identified.

[gardenista]

25. Good. And digital cameras. eom

[West Coast Democrat]

24. I believe the RNC has undercover riot inciters following Bush around...

Protesting against a Bush visit in 2001, I was very suspicious of one particular, noisy guy. I just got a feeling about it from the moment he started talking to me...I have a good sense about people. Later on he was being very noisy talking to some Bush supporters, and he was pushing and shoving, etc.

When I saw Fahrenheit 911, I was reminded of this guy when Moore focused on the undercover peace activist. The guy in the film looked out of place to me in the same way the guy I met at the Bush protest seemed suspicious. I can't put my finger on it exactly...little things.

[gardenista]

27. Yeah, many years ago there were some obnoxious sign-carrying "supporters"

of an opposition (McGovern? I was young...) candidate when Nixon came to our home town.

Because my parents were heavily involved in the local campaign, and did not recognise these guys, they went up to them and asked where they were from. They were rude and refused to say who they were to fellow supporters! My dad took out his camera and started taking pics, and the guys got pissed and left.

They were obviously Nixon people. But they certainly convinced a few people at that rally that McGovern supporters were rude, loud obnoxious jerks. I'm so proud of my dad for getting them out of there.

BTW, my dad is still at it, registering voters today near Sacramento, a true GOP stronghold. GO DAD!

[creeksneakers2]

30. Most protesters are in their 40s or 50s now

They'll be very hard to incite.