Anyone ever participate in a protest?

[ninja]

I have never participated in a protest. I see these protesters on tv and wonder how do they get the day off from their employers. Did they call in sick only to be seen on tv protesting? What's with these tree huggers living in a tree in CA protesting the building of a gym throwing human feces at the police? Someone needs a serious tazing!

There are many things I dislike but none ever led me to protest in the streets or at college. To me, people look sill standing outside holding a sign.

Anyone ever actively participate in a protest? What for? And why?

[Vintage]

Apparently, there is a group that comes up to our campus once a year to protest our ROTC program. The ROTC people cannot be in uniform that day and don't do their daily activities in training.

I decided to go down and check it out (this was a month, maybe 2 months ag). There were like 30 of them, carrying around signs, chanting stuff like "impeach Bush" "don't teach killing" etc.

Thing is; I'd think you'd want to teach the people heading into the military how to do some of this stuff, so you know, they can do their jobs....

They apparently disagreed.

[ConcordCowboy]

Me yesterday...

http://bowza.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/treehug3.gif

[AtlCB]

Me yesterday...

http://bowza.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/treehug3.gif

What are you doing to that tree??? :eek:

:eekmouse:

[zrinkill]

What are you doing to that tree??? :eek:

I think Sassy is behind him ....

[ConcordCowboy]

What are you doing to that tree??? :eek:

:eekmouse:

I'm shall we say...Loving it.

[hairic]

Never been involved in a protest. I don't want to be caged in a "free speech zone".

[AtlCB]

I'm shall we say...Loving it.
Don't they have women in Ohio?

[Yeagermeister]

Me yesterday...

http://bowza.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/treehug3.gif

I hope you got all the bees out first :lmao2:

[Hostile]

No, and I never will be under any circumstances. I don't believe they do anything other than cause a lot of people to act like complete fools.

[joseephuss]

No, and I never will be under any circumstances. I don't believe they do anything other than cause a lot of people to act like complete fools.

That is what they thought about the folks at the Boston Tea Party. :laugh2:

For the most part I agree with you. It is kind of like unions. A once good thing that has been exploited and abused. There are still the rare instances when they are actually useful and beneficial.

[AtlCB]

That is what they thought about the folks at the Boston Tea Party. :laugh2:

For the most part I agree with you. It is kind of like unions. A once good thing that has been exploited and abused. There are still the rare instances when they are actually useful and beneficial.I would bet most of the people at the Boston Tea Party could name their governor, know which continent England was on, and could name the King of England.

Have you ever heard some of the interviews with those buffoons? I think a lot of the protestors were out there for a social gathering, because they certainly didn't have a clue what they were protesting about! I think your IQ has to fall several percentage points before you can join a war protest or an abortion protest.

[SuspectCorner]

I would bet most of the people at the Boston Tea Party could name their governor, know which continent England was on, and could name the King of England.

Have you ever heard some of the interviews with those buffoons? I think a lot of the protestors were out there for a social gathering, because they certainly didn't have a clue what they were protesting about! I think your IQ has to fall several percentage points before you can join a war protest or an abortion protest.

It would prolly help if you're only exposure to "protestors" wasn't via corporate media outlets like Fox. Let's face it - media conglomerates and their corporate sponsors are likely to be among the targets of the protesting.

Hey, many people DO have the guts to protest what they view as injustice. Just not so much in America, anymore.

And one of the reasons may well be the unspoken guarantee that any press coverage of their protests will be of the most unflattering variety. Because that is just a symptom of what the corporate media has become - they act as salesmen to the country that "All is well!"... Don't pay attention to these flakes - other than to notice their bold "otherness" and be made to feel uncomfortable by the spectacle of it. Sleep - buy - procreate.

The older I get the more relevent John Carpenter's "They Live" becomes. Pity that.

[Hoofbite]

What are you doing to that tree??? :eek:

:eekmouse:

And you can't even see the knot hole on the other side.

[ConcordCowboy]

And you can't even see the knot hole on the other side.


Damn you...I was going to post that but didn't. :p:

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2012693/2/istockphoto_2012693-tree-knot.jpg

[Hostile]

That is what they thought about the folks at the Boston Tea Party. :laugh2:

For the most part I agree with you. It is kind of like unions. A once good thing that has been exploited and abused. There are still the rare instances when they are actually useful and beneficial.Alas, there are no new countries and governments to form. I don't see a revolution as a protest. Maybe it is to a larger degree.

I will say this, I do respect the man who stood in front of the tank in Tiananmen Square. The bravest thing I have ever seen in my life. I don't believe our Government is that kind of regime though, regardless of who is in power.

Most protests I see are about shouting out political beliefs. I don't care about those people's political beliefs being shouted out at me. I especially do not respect anti-war protestors. They do their protests very close to my home when they happen in Tucson. It takes every bit of self control I posess not to clock some of these people. Their hatred of our country galls me.

[AtlCB]

It would prolly help if you're only exposure to "protestors" wasn't via corporate media outlets like Fox. Let's face it - media conglomerates and their corporate sponsors are likely to be among the targets of the protesting.

Hey, many people DO have the guts to protest what they view as injustice. Just not so much in America, anymore.

And one of the reasons may well be the unspoken guarantee that any press coverage of their protests will be of the most unflattering variety. Because that is just a symptom of what the corporate media has become - they act as salesmen to the country that "All is well!"... Don't pay attention to these flakes - other than to notice their bold "otherness" and be made to feel uncomfortable by the spectacle of it. Sleep - buy - procreate.

The older I get the more relevent John Carpenter's "They Live" becomes. Pity that.Maybe you might want to know something about me before posting. I watch very little Fox News. I have seen these buffoons in my city with 'Bush is a Nazi' and other ridiculous signs. Our local radio station (99X whose morning guys tend to lean a little to the Democrat side) would go out and interview these protestors. Most of these guys couldn't locate Iraq on a map, didn't know who the leader of Iraq was, didn't know who the state governor was, didn't know that WMD were the reason stated for going to war, didn't know the leader of the UN, didn't know who the VP was, etc. Maybe you might want to visit news sites other than one's that post left-wing propaganda.

[SuspectCorner]

Maybe you might want to know something about me before posting. I watch very little Fox News. I have seen these buffoons in my city with 'Bush is a Nazi' and other ridiculous signs. Our local radio station (99X whose morning guys tend to lean a little to the Democrat side) would go out and interview these protestors. Most of these guys couldn't locate Iraq on a map, didn't know who the leader of Iraq was, didn't know who the state governor was, didn't know that WMD were the reason stated for going to war, didn't know the leader of the UN, didn't know who the VP was, etc. Maybe you might want to visit news sites other than one's that post left-wing propaganda.

And I'll raise you twice that many thick-headed right-wingers that believe the WMDs were there, Bush loves the Constitution, Cheney is their lovable Uncle Dick, Rumsfeld was a master of organization, all detainees are/were enemy combatants, and Halliburton et al get all their contracts based on bids.

[trickblue]

It would prolly help if you're only exposure to "protestors" wasn't via corporate media outlets like Fox. Let's face it - media conglomerates and their corporate sponsors are likely to be among the targets of the protesting.

Hey, many people DO have the guts to protest what they view as injustice. Just not so much in America, anymore.

And one of the reasons may well be the unspoken guarantee that any press coverage of their protests will be of the most unflattering variety. Because that is just a symptom of what the corporate media has become - they act as salesmen to the country that "All is well!"... Don't pay attention to these flakes - other than to notice their bold "otherness" and be made to feel uncomfortable by the spectacle of it. Sleep - buy - procreate.

The older I get the more relevent John Carpenter's "They Live" becomes. Pity that.

Let's face it... Conservatives are too busy going to work, raising a family and paying taxes to protest... ;)

And I'll raise you twice that many thick-headed right-wingers that believe the WMDs were there, Bush loves the Constitution, Cheney is their lovable Uncle Dick, Rumsfeld was a master of organization, all detainees are/were enemy combatants, and Halliburton et al get all their contracts based on bids.

And I'll raise you twice that many thick-headed left-wingers that believe about every conspiracy theory that comes down the pike...

I'm still waiting for Bush to declare Martial Law and forcibly take over the government. That one was all over the place a couple of years back...

[SuspectCorner]

Let's face it... Conservatives are too busy going to work, raising a family and paying taxes to protest... ;)



And I'll raise you twice that many thick-headed left-wingers that believe about every conspiracy theory that comes down the pike...

I'm still waiting for Bush to declare Martial Law and forcibly take over the government. That one was all over the place a couple of years back...

I'll bet I put in more hours than you do and Bush & Company are anything but "above board"... it just took a little longer for the majority to catch on. But catch on they have.

Oh, by the way - that wooshing sound you hear is your little neo-con raft swiftly deflating...

[trickblue]

I'll bet I put in more hours than you do and Bush & Company are anything but "above board"... it just took a little longer for the majority to catch on. But catch on they have.

Oh, by the way - that wooshing sound you hear is your little neo-con raft swiftly deflating...

You have once again proven yourself as one who doesn't pay attention...

First... I would doubt you put in more hours than me... but that is neither here nor there... that whooshing sound was the joke going over your head...

Second... IF you paid attention, and obviously you don't, you would know that I don't like (W) Bush, nor did I vote for him in the last election...

Third... I am not a neo-con. I know that is a catchy little word libs like to throw around because it makes them feel all warm and superior inside, but most all of them, including you, have no idea what it means. I know this because if you did, you would know I am not one.

You seem to forget what a lot of people in here espouse to as you are too busy tripping over yourself getting your smarmy agenda out there...

[SuspectCorner]

You have once again proven yourself as one who doesn't pay attention...

First... I would doubt you put in more hours than me... but that is neither here nor there... that whooshing sound was the joke going over your head...

Second... IF you paid attention, and obviously you don't, you would know that I don't like (W) Bush, nor did I vote for him in the last election...

Third... I am not a neo-con. I know that is a catchy little word libs like to throw around because it makes them feel all warm and superior inside, but most all of them, including you, have no idea what it means. I know this because if you did, you would know I am not one.

You seem to forget what a lot of people in here espouse to as you are too busy tripping over yourself getting your smarmy agenda out there...

Let's put aside the working hours non-issue...

My impression was that you were painting conservatives as too responsible to the mundane challenges of day-to-day life to be engaged in flights of fancy like protesting - like it was a luxury only the "less time-challenged and under-employed left" could afford. I'd apologize if I thought I misunderstood your intent. But I don't for a second believe that I did.

[hairic]

The working hours claim should have just been ignored.

Are you, as a conservative, also responsible enough to not take time off to go watch your kid's extracurricular activities (e.g. non-varsity football games)? The parents who do must be so irresponsible, they're... missing work. They must be liberals.

No, you go do that crap because it's important to you (or you want to present the impression that it is to your kid).

The fact that you don't do the same to go protest just means you don't care about the issue enough to do so, not that you're more responsible. Nothing wrong with that, but don't make some erroneous claim about it.

[SuspectCorner]

The working hours claim should have just been ignored.

Are you, as a conservative, also responsible enough to not take time off to go watch your kid's extracurricular activities (e.g. non-varsity football games)? The parents who do must be so irresponsible, they're... missing work. They must be liberals.

No, you go do that crap because it's important to you (or you want to present the impression that it is to your kid).

The fact that you don't do the same to go protest just means you don't care about the issue enough to do so, not that you're more responsible. Nothing wrong with that, but don't make some erroneous claim about it.

Well, it may all be moot. The most effective form of American protest prolly takes place in the blogosphere (we should be vigilant that corporate media consolidation efforts aren't allowed to undermine the free exchange of information that takes place on the internet) .....and, as always, the ballot box.

[zrinkill]

Let's face it... Conservatives are too busy going to work, raising a family and paying taxes to protest... ;)

:laugh2:

I love how a few guys got so defensive about an obvious joke.

Wonder why? :)

[WoodysGirl]

One of the most effective protests that occurred in recent memory was here in Houston about a year or so ago. At least I thought it was effective. There was a Janitor's strike. Forgive me for going light on the details as I don't recall it all off the top of my head.

Janitors here in Houston were protesting the wages they thought were too low and not in line with other major metropolitan cities. Anyway, they protested right in the middle of Westheimer and 610. Which if you know anything about Houston, that's located right in the heart of the Galleria and where all the chi-chi people shop, eat, drink, and be merry. Normal traffic in the area is a mess all day, every day, so for them to protest during rush hour made it even more of a mess.

It's funny because you don't notice their work until it's no longer performed. I think they were on strike for a week and I remember thinking "Man, why come we don't have any more toilet tissue in the ladies room? Somebody need to call bldg management." or "Man, why haven't they picked up my office trash?"

Anywho, workers got a minor wage increase, and MAYBE some adjusted health care beneifts, and returned to their office building.

[AtlCB]

And I'll raise you twice that many thick-headed right-wingers that believe the WMDs were there, Bush loves the Constitution, Cheney is their lovable Uncle Dick, Rumsfeld was a master of organization, all detainees are/were enemy combatants, and Halliburton et al get all their contracts based on bids.What does this have to do with what I posted? I honestly do not care about the thick-headed right-wingers, because they aren't out on the streets protesting about something that they have no clue about. Is it too much to ask someone to do a little research on an issue if they believe in something enough to protest in public.

[trickblue]

Let's put aside the working hours non-issue...

My impression was that you were painting conservatives as too responsible to the mundane challenges of day-to-day life to be engaged in flights of fancy like protesting - like it was a luxury only the "less time-challenged and under-employed left" could afford. I'd apologize if I thought I misunderstood your intent. But I don't for a second believe that I did.

It was just a joke SC... no harm done...

The working hours claim should have just been ignored.

Are you, as a conservative, also responsible enough to not take time off to go watch your kid's extracurricular activities (e.g. non-varsity football games)? The parents who do must be so irresponsible, they're... missing work. They must be liberals.

No, you go do that crap because it's important to you (or you want to present the impression that it is to your kid).

The fact that you don't do the same to go protest just means you don't care about the issue enough to do so, not that you're more responsible. Nothing wrong with that, but don't make some erroneous claim about it.

Wow... funny how people take a joke so seriously. I guess I hit a sore spot (JOKE JOKE JOKE)...

I do take off for everything I can for my kids. I then make it up by going in on my days off. I will work this week at a youth leadership camp 20 hours a day for no extra pay whatsoever. I manage to make events and put in my required time plus plenty of OT.

I do care about issues but I live in a small area where protests rarely, if ever, occur. When I lived in Dallas, I worked 70 hour weeks so I had no time to protest as I was usually in another part of the country. I do protest in another way. I don't provide money to candidates that I have issues with. I have contributed at various times over the years to campaigns and by holding money back from other campaigns, my protest is just as vald...

and when did I say anyone was irresponsible?

[Ben_n_austin]

Alas, there are no new countries and governments to form. I don't see a revolution as a protest. Maybe it is to a larger degree.

I will say this, I do respect the man who stood in front of the tank in Tiananmen Square. The bravest thing I have ever seen in my life. I don't believe our Government is that kind of regime though, regardless of who is in power.

Most protests I see are about shouting out political beliefs. I don't care about those people's political beliefs being shouted out at me. I especially do not respect anti-war protestors. They do their protests very close to my home when they happen in Tucson. It takes every bit of self control I posess not to clock some of these people. Their hatred of our country galls me.

Those people love your country more than you do. . . .

Don't forget, "those kinds" of people are who founded this country.

[Ben_n_austin]

You have once again proven yourself as one who doesn't pay attention...

First... I would doubt you put in more hours than me... but that is neither here nor there... that whooshing sound was the joke going over your head...

Second... IF you paid attention, and obviously you don't, you would know that I don't like (W) Bush, nor did I vote for him in the last election...

Third... I am not a neo-con. I know that is a catchy little word libs like to throw around because it makes them feel all warm and superior inside, but most all of them, including you, have no idea what it means. I know this because if you did, you would know I am not one.

You seem to forget what a lot of people in here espouse to as you are too busy tripping over yourself getting your smarmy agenda out there...

I've seen an ever-so-slighted neo-con tinge in you once or twice. But if asked, my response would be you're definitely no neo-con.

You're riding just a tad left the border, though.

[AtlCB]

I've seen an ever-so-slighted neo-con tinge in you once or twice. But if asked, my response would be you're definitely no neo-con.

You're riding just a tad left the border, though.Neo-cons tend to believe in a strong federal government and social programs. I don't think Trickblue can be accused of that.

[Hostile]

Those people love your country more than you do. . . .

Don't forget, "those kinds" of people are who founded this country.No, they don't.

Drop it. I flat out don't want to hear it.

[SuspectCorner]

No, they don't.

Drop it. I flat out don't want to hear it.

Yeah, watch out Ben lest ye be "clocked" - the culpability of our elected government leaders MUST be defended (or, at minimum, overlooked). Otherwise, you will be an unpatriotic "hater" in the Hoss book...

[Hostile]

Yeah, watch out Ben lest ye be "clocked" - the culpability of our elected government leaders MUST be defended (or, at minimum, overlooked). Otherwise, you will be an unpatriotic "hater" in the Hoss book...I didn't say anything close to that did I? By all means put up or shut up. Show me where I said it.

I said drop it because I don't care to speak about what those people do and compare it as love of the country and be told it shows they love this country more than me. Nothing more.

[SuspectCorner]

I didn't say anything close to that did I? By all means put up or shut up. Show me where I said it.

I said drop it because I don't care to speak about what those people do and compare it as love of the country and be told it shows they love this country more than me. Nothing more.

Hostile: "Most protests I see are about shouting out political beliefs. I don't care about those people's political beliefs being shouted out at me. I especially do not respect anti-war protestors. They do their protests very close to my home when they happen in Tucson. It takes every bit of self control I possess not to clock some of these people. Their hatred of our country galls me."

[Hostile]

Hostile: "Most protests I see are about shouting out political beliefs. I don't care about those people's political beliefs being shouted out at me. I especially do not respect anti-war protestors. They do their protests very close to my home when they happen in Tucson. It takes every bit of self control I possess not to clock some of these people. Their hatred of our country galls me."
Yeah, maybe I just don't respect a sign that says "baby killers" and realize it's about loving country.

Next time ask why, don't assume.

[SuspectCorner]

Yeah, maybe I just don't respect a sign that says "baby killers" and realize it's about loving country.

Next time ask why, don't assume.

I've seen the same sign at right-wing "pro life" rallies. And, although I didn't agree with them - I never had to resist the urge to "clock" somebody... OR question their "love of country".

In fact, that's one of the things I love ABOUT this country. No matter how much we may disagree or even how strongly - we ALL have a voice.

The greatest country in the world still needs work because true democracy is, and will always require that it be, "a work in progress".

[Hostile]

I've seen the same sign at right-wing "pro life" rallies. And, although I didn't agree with them - I never had to resist the urge to "clock" somebody... OR question their "love of country".

In fact, that's one of the things I love ABOUT this country. No matter how much we may disagree or even how strongly - we ALL have a voice.

The greatest country in the world still needs work because true democracy is, and will always require that it be, "a work in progress".I have too. I've had to resist the urge to clock some of them too.

[trickblue]

Neo-cons tend to believe in a strong federal government and social programs. I don't think Trickblue can be accused of that.

Thank you...

I'm a tortured artist... I'm so misunderstood...

[SuspectCorner]

I have too. I've had to resist the urge to clock some of them too.

You sound like an equal opportunity clocker. <memo to self: cancel all my scheduled protests in the Tucson area>

[AtlCB]

You sound like an equal opportunity clocker. <memo to self: cancel all my scheduled protests in the Tucson area>
Looks like you will have to pass on that pro-life rally. :D

Seriously, pro-life and anti-war protestors have to rank as the most dispicable, in-your-face, desperate, idiotic sign waving people. I've had to walk by many protests and most are very tame. I walked by more PETA protests than any other. Although I think their views are a little crazy, the protestors are extremely nice and courteous (although I have never tried to walk past them wearing furs or leather).

[SuspectCorner]

Looks like you will have to pass on that pro-life rally. :D

Seriously, pro-life and anti-war protestors have to rank as the most dispicable, in-your-face, desperate, idiotic sign waving people. I've had to walk by many protests and most are very tame. I walked by more PETA protests than any other. Although I think their views are a little crazy, the protestors are extremely nice and courteous (although I have never tried to walk past them wearing furs or leather).

Their extreme "humaneness" seems to suddenly evaporate when they're presented with not-like-minded humanimals.