As long as we support this government, we have no rights that need be respected.

How strange that people would go into the streets and brave violence, brutality, and arrest, but would still vote in this repressive government's rigged elections and urge others to do so.

The elections are rigged. None of the candidates can or will bring about change.

The ONLY way to discredit this government and restore our inalienable rights is to withdraw our support from it, stop giving it our mandate, and stop delegating our power to people we cannot hold accountable.

No in November! Don't vote -- it only legitimizes them! 

If you want to have rights, stop giving away your power. Boycott the election. Stop talking about the candidates and the political parties and snub them the same way that they snub us except when they're asking us for money or asking us to vote. You cannot change a criminal syndicate by joining it and trying to work within it. Where was Obama and the Democratic Party, those who have consistently given the Republicans everything they asked for, protected them from impeachment, and are pledged to carry on their agenda, when Amy and other protesters were being arrested? How can they defend our rights when they showed in Denver, if somewhat less brutally, that they don't respect our rights either? Why do you think that the Democrats voted to help the Republicans take away habeus corpus?

We have no voice in government. It is a top-down system, it is totally corrupt, and it is NOT a democracy, not now and not ever. It never was. In a democracy the highest law of the land from which there is no appeal would not be an unelected body appointed by a ruler, like the Supreme Court set up by our Constitution that stole the 2000 election. This never was meant to be a democracy.

As for being a republic, that's a form of democracy where the people exercise their power over government through their elected representatives. In rigged elections, you can never know if the people in office were legitimately or fraudulently elected, and in any event, the prevailing theory is that once "elected," they are no longer accountable to their constituents.

You can't take back your power and regain your rights by continuing to give them away. This government has the lowest approval rating in U.S. history. Stop voting for it! It is self-defeating to try to oppose something at the same time that you are delegating your power to it.

This is NOT just the Republicans. We don't even have an opposition party in this country, just one ruling party with two pro-war, militaristic, branches.

The Democrats aren't going to help because then how could they protect THEIR conventions from protesters? 

The only proven way to delegitimize a government is to boycott its elections. If people don't vote, they can no longer claim to have been legitimately elected and to have the support of the people.

To go out and let yourself be brutalized and arrested by thugs, and then turn around and vote for the government that gave them that power, is self-defeating.

by Mark E. Smith (21 articles, 30 quicklinks, 100 diaries, 1325 comments) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 9:49:08 PM

  (0+)

Well put Mark.

Voting for either of these two parties in November (barring there even is an election) this two headed "corporate" hydra, the left-right paradigm is just utter lunacy. It's all about power and control, but of whom, the American citizens?

This country has lost it's moral compass and is slowing heading into an abyss. Maybe that's what it'll take to straighten things out? Probably already too late.

by Munich (1 articles, 86 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 1125 comments [86 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 10:27:55 PM

  (0+)

Their solution to a government that has lost its steering and wallows in the water--is to jump overboard.

 Well, that oughta fix 'em.

The absurdity of abandoning government because it has become untenable is beyond all understanding and mocks those parts of the world that were imprisoned and died for just a chance at what Americans have.

Boycotting an election--outrageous advice.

by Jim Freeman (108 articles, 53 quicklinks, 227 diaries, 386 comments) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 10:06:29 AM

  (0+)

While I cannot disagree with the idea of withholding a vote to demonstrate protest against the system, it does get old pointing out to people that democracy is a very poor form of government.  In a democracy, a majority can simply vote the minority into slavery at any time.  No democracy has existed for any length of time. 

We have a Constitutional Republic.  The minority's rights are protected by the judicial branch's abilility to impose those rights against the majority's vote.  In study after study in the social sciences, the fact is proved that the majority of Americans do not believe in most of the rights in the Bill of Rights.  Without a faithful judiciary to protect the minority in spite of popular opinion and in accord with the Constitution, we would have nothing more than rule by the most foolish, the most easily manipulated.

Every time some blogger uses the word democracy to describe the U.S. political system instead of the appropriate term, "Constitutional Republic," that blogger does a great disservice to the progressive cause.  The force we are fighting seeks democracy without Constitutional protections.  That is the road to fascism.  This very article, in which we are debating, points out the desperate need for a President who will appoint federal judges that respect the limitations inherent in the Constitution's grant of power to the federal government and that respect the Bill of Rights.  I venture to say that a majority of Americans will easily believe that the people being arrested deserve to be arrested.  In your much vaunted pure democracy, those people would likely never see the light of day again.  

Once again, and all together, you cannot complain about violations of Constitutional rights and then argue against having a Constitutional Republic rather than pure democracy.  There are no rights in a pure democracy except for the right of the majority to do whatever it wants to the minority.  

by W.M.L. (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 537 comments [52 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 6:14:34 AM

  (0+)

per the CIA World Fact Book, WML. being a lawyer, you would understably view it as a Constitutional Republic, but then you must (honestly) amend that name to say Constitutional Republican Democracy. We must call it a democracy because (sham elections aside), ostensibly, all those over 17 years of age can vote. but back to this article.. the video sound sucks... I can't hear it at all on my laptop. Is there another video out there that captured her arrest WITH sound? or that captured the mayor's speech (and questions) WITH sound? thanks for posting this, Linda. The visual is certainly telling. Wish we had coverage of the minutes before she was physically arrested, and I wish we could hear the convo between Amy and the police.

by Rady Ananda (182 articles, 374 quicklinks, 49 diaries, 1718 comments [201 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 5:28:56 PM

  (0+)

You are correct. Few here even understand the difference.

by Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 990 comments [34 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008 at 5:25:00 AM

  (0+)

Show-up in mass at your polling place, tell them where where they can stick their e-voting machines, place your vote for your candidate on a piece of paper, and tell them they can validate that!

Staying home does nothing but validate their phony election as much as showing-up and voting on their phony machines, for their phony candidates.

To hell with them all!

Make a protest out of the vote!

Go door to door if you must and recruit people in your precinct to all show-up and make our voices heard.

When they start arresting journalists that's one of the hallmarks of a police state. We're not heading for a police state - we're in one!

by Mr M (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 66 diaries, 2845 comments [654 recommended, 27 rejected]) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 7:02:28 AM

  (0+)

not voting is a bummer-vote ron paul-or write your own name in -but vote--obama is a dem , the dems have majority of senate- so if the pres is a dem- and the senate is dem, maybe something can get done when there is no problem of veto power from a f***** up prez---go vote

by TRADESMAN (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 335 comments [40 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 5:18:35 PM

  (0+)

There are police on every overpass and street corner. Another convoy of National Guard was seen heading into the city this evening.

The military and certain law enforcement agencies provoked people for days before the start of the convention. In their imposing riot gear and gas masks the law enforcement appears to outnumber protesters. Did you see that creep with the billy club in the video? Looks like a Blackwater mercenary.

Like Rumsfeld said: "Whay have all those weapons if you aren't going to use them?"

I'm sickened by the lack of response from the mayors and city councils of both cities and from the state legislature. (I wrote to my represenative days ago about the raids.) They've turned everything over to Homeland Security, the FBI, and a run amok county sheriff. Thanks to the Patriot Act, people have no protection.

There are more rallies and protests tomorrow. I hope people don't feel cowed into staying home.

by Kathlyn Stone (46 articles, 227 quicklinks, 27 diaries, 690 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 10:16:24 PM

  (0+)

Kathlyn - thanks for being there.   What I witnessed in Denver pales in comparison to what you're going through there.  I have many friends there with you.  Just be safe.   You're doing us proud.  

I firmly believe it's our responsibility to participate 100% in our democracy. You're doing it, sistah!!  I would have stayed on to join you but I could only do Denver and not MN.  But I'll see you on the street for as long as it takes until we don't need to be there anymore. 

To YOU!!! 

by Linda Milazzo (128 articles, 1 quicklinks, 18 diaries, 210 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 10:36:09 PM

  (0+)

elsewhere. I never thought it would happen here. They are getting more brazen, more aggressive. Our local officials act powerless. We have to be witnesses to it.  I'm right there with you.

by Kathlyn Stone (46 articles, 227 quicklinks, 27 diaries, 690 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 11:10:10 PM

  (0+)

I PUT THIS OUT TO LIST-SERVES EARLIER, AND I THINK IT IS STILL RELEVANT HERE.

update from coldsnap: amy goodman has been released. many other journalists, legal observers, medics and friends still inside.

by Mac McKinney (53 articles, 113 quicklinks, 240 diaries, 1413 comments [31 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 10:46:54 PM

  (0+)

If you can, come to St. Paul and stand with us this week.

by Kathlyn Stone (46 articles, 227 quicklinks, 27 diaries, 690 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 11:12:43 PM

  (0+)

We should swarm the Twin Cities, and stop traffic. Walk arm in arm, singing We Are the Champions, or maybe we could sing Green Day's "Holiday" that's even better.

by Rady Ananda (182 articles, 374 quicklinks, 49 diaries, 1718 comments [201 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 5:31:02 PM

  (0+)

Comment from Ratings:   and all the others who are keeping us informed.

by Meryl Ann Butler (70 articles, 82 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 721 comments [29 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 11:04:57 PM

  (0+)

And every peaceful protester. 

Free Speech?  Land of the Free?  What's happened to this country when the people no longer have the right to peaceful dissent?

Democracy ever? 

Thanks for the article and the footage. 

by August Adams (11 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 585 comments [11 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 11:16:02 PM

  (0+)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 1, 2008

Contact:
Mike Burke: mike@democracynow.org

**UPDATE**

Democracy Now!'s Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar
Released After Illegal Arrest at RNC

Goodman Charged with Obstruction; Felony Riot Charges Pending Against
Kouddous and Salazar

ST. PAUL--Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and producers Sharif Abdel
Kouddous and Nicole Salazar have all been released from police custody
in St. Paul following their illegal arrest by Minneapolis Police on
Monday afternoon.

All three were violently manhandled by law enforcement officers. Abdel
Kouddous was slammed against a wall and the ground, leaving his arms
scraped and bloodied. He sustained other injuries to his chest and back.
Salazar's violent arrest by baton-wielding officers, during which she
was slammed to the ground while yelling, "I'm Press! Press!," resulted
in her nose bleeding, as well as causing facial pain. Goodman's arm was
violently yanked by police as she was arrested.

On Tuesday, Democracy Now! will broadcast video of these arrests, as
well as the broader police action. These will also be available on:
www.democracynow.org

Goodman was arrested while questioning police about the unlawful
detention of Kouddous and Salazar who were arrested while they carried
out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the
Republican National Convention. Goodman's crime appears to have been
defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and
Salazar were arrested on suspicion of rioting, a felony. While the three
have been released, they all still face charges stemming from their
unlawful arrest. Kouddous and Salazar face pending charges of suspicion
of felony riot, while Goodman has been officially charged with
obstruction of a legal process and interference with a "peace officer."

Democracy Now! forcefully rejects all of these charges as false and an
attempt at intimidation of these journalists. We demand that the charges
be immediately and completely dropped.

Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this
action by Twin Cities' law enforcement as a clear violation of the
freedom of the press and the First Amendment rights of these journalists.

During the demonstration in which the Democracy Now! team was arrested,
law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion
grenades and excessive force against protesters and journalists. Several
dozen demonstrators were also arrested during this action, including a
photographer for the Associated Press.

Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists
in the United States. She has received journalism's top honors for her
reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The
arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and the subsequent criminal
charges and threat of charges are a transparent attempt to intimidate
journalists.

Democracy Now! is a nationally-syndicated public TV and radio program
that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.

Video of Amy Goodman's Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ

by Hans Bennett (25 articles, 117 quicklinks, 141 diaries, 246 comments [35 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 11:42:01 PM

  (0+)

Mike and Dennis,

I hear that Amy Goodman is back in the streets, or at least out of jail.  Congratulations.

I appreciate that two of Democracy Now!'s producers remain in jail and you want them out, and I'm appalled at a charge called "suspicion of rioting."  I'm sure it's occurred to you, as it has to me, that either they were rioting, visibly, vocally, in-your-face rioting, or the cops have no proof, only a suspicion and a determination to jail everyone outside the RNC.

But what happened to the democracy in Democracy Now!?  From the reports we're getting here in Los Angeles, a lot of less well known activists in Minneapolis-St. Paul are being rounded up at the point of semi-automatic weapons; being beaten, pepper-sprayed, and handcuffed; having their stuff confiscated; and being held for 36 hours with no charges at all.  You mention them in passing in the release below, and you co-op the phone numbers local activists are putting out to free their comrades so you can free your comrades.  Why didn't you ask your viewers and listeners to call on behalf of all the activists now being quashed, arrested, intimidated, and generally terrorized by the Twin Cities cops, under the approving gaze of Homeland Security?  I can only imagine what it would have meant to have an audience the size of yours making calls to end Republican-ordered fascist tactics altogether.

But no, you want people to use those phone numbers to free Kouddous and Salazar, and because your request is so small compared to what is called for, and because your audience is large, you will probably get what you want.  I hope you do, honestly I do.  But it might have been within your power to move a genuine democratic force, and you deftly avoided opportunity.  You've settled for democracy now for your own, and democracy later, maybe, if they have a good lawyer and the police state calculates the risk isn't worth it, for the rest.

So let me ask what you didn't:  if you're calling for Amy's staffers, call and demand that all those who are exercising their rights of free speech and free assembly, all those who the police are terrorized with home invasions and weapons of war, be freed immediately, and that all those who want to speak in opposition to the establishment have the full aid and cooperation of the officials of Minneapolis and St. Paul.  Call Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman’s office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0).

by Leslie Radford (7 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 12 comments) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 12:06:12 AM

  (0+)

Greetings Folks

I am reporting from the front lines here. I am off to work Street medics again today. We expect it to get much worse today.

Hopefully we will talk soon.

PS

f*ck the Two Party System  and their Legions of apologists

by Michael Cavlan (15 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 538 comments [131 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 10:48:34 AM

  (0+)

by Munich (1 articles, 86 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 1125 comments [86 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 1:03:32 PM

  (0+)

Comment from Ratings:   Whether this is Fascism Industrial Strength, or Fascism Lite, it's the overall intent that makes the definitions a moot point. These kinds of things are carefully planned and orchestrated to push us farther and farther from any semblance of Democracy. The PDs are in cahoots through Homeland Security from Sea to Shining Sea ( oil slicks can get pretty shiny ) and real protest will not be tolerated. Even without any casualties, other than those caused by PD, real opposition in a group way is not going to be tolerated, even if violence is not the issue. The government violence IS the issue, though.

by muservin (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 78 comments [5 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 5:03:26 PM

  (0+)

hate to say it but it just shows that if a person wants to protest he should buy riot gear, and wear it  to a protest---think about it -since they are going to slam people around like they do-a person should have body armor on and carry a stick like they do-when they take it up a notch we must to-they wouldnt be afraid of the masses if they treat them fair and just------------boy how i wish i was there------------------------------------------------------

by TRADESMAN (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 335 comments [40 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 5:43:21 PM

  (0+)

Comment from Ratings:   I cannot believe what is going on in the Twin Cities where I lived for 8 years. Thank God we have the technology to put these Bastards in Blue and Black onscreen and show the nation and world what the USA has become. This is democracy? I think not. Much as it pains me to say it, I cannot back law enforcement now. They have shamed themselves into negativity for many a year. Even apologies or charges being dropped against freedom of speech supporters will not help the restoration of respect and support for these Nazi-emboldened gangsters. Don't worry good people...these guys (and gals) in blue will receive their just due. In time, dear friends...in time. GMMelby, Pastor/Chaplain

by Dak (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 47 comments [9 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 6:33:44 PM

  (0+)

I saw Klobuchar on one of the cabal news shows the other night, and as I suspected, there was no mention of the police riots.  This was another example of the true nature of the "change" that we are supposed to believe in.

by John Olsen (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 60 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 8:30:11 PM

  (0+)

Yup

Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar is, well just another corporate friendly, spineless Democratic Senator. 

by Michael Cavlan (15 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 538 comments [131 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008 at 12:22:05 PM

  (0+)

I think you both could use a bit of a Government class. First, a Democracy by definition is: government by the people exercised either directly or through elected representatives and rule by the majority. We have (used to have) that and a Republic is a politcal order whose head of state is not a monarch but a President(ours has Bush the "decider" making it almost a monarch); it has a politcal order in which the supreme power lies in the body of the citizens who are entitled to vote for representatives(hmmm. dat gone too?). Now, the constitution is the Rule of Law that was set up for our Republic (country) and therefore, having a practice of Democracy. You see, originally the founders called the country a republic because they had no intentions of us being RULED by one supreme being(e.g., "a decider") as they came from that almighty king and their sole purpose was to be free from the elitists and Kings. We have departed from that, fer sure.

Most republicans surveyed could NOT name the three branches of Government. Democrats scored much higher. The three branches are Executive, Judicial and Legislative, and I know that by heart (big smile). Just remember, The "Republic of China" and the "Union of Soviet Socialists Republic. Both have a monarch. We are damn close to China's form especially with this so called "pre-emptive arresting" of protesters and Journalists.

I think this quote is worth repeating: "there is corruption over having power over others". We sure see that with these jack boot thugs brutally arresting ppl that have committed absolutely no crime but practicing the constitution. When ppl get arrested for practicing the ""Rule of Law the Forefathers laid out for us, we are in big trouble.

I have signed several petitions regarding this atrocity to get on MSM and letters to congress as well. Credo has some petitions and I can't remember who else sent me some. I signed them all.

We may be a republic but the Rule of Law (constitution) is the Democracy that we practice...

'er..uh..we used to practice. :[

by shirley reese (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 592 comments [98 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 at 8:32:06 PM

  (0+)