I went to the No Kings in Missoula. At one point, all the protestors went into the street (Broadway) and started walking towards Higgins. The street was so crowded, I stayed on the sidewalk. Within half a block, a lady in hazard orange came up to me and said "Would you please walk in the street? We are supposed to keep the sidewalk clear."
I responded by saying is this a protest or a parade? Because if its the former, why would I obey, it sort of defeats the purpose of a PROTEST. She was a bit rattled, so I asked her did you apply for a parade permit, she hesitantly acknowledged that they did.
Then, to really stick the knife in, the PARADE walked up Higgins and onto Spruce street, where there is literally nothing but old buildings. They were so "out of the way" that most people wouldn't know a protest was happening. It felt like cattle being herded into a shoot.
Back in the day, a protest was about civil disobedience, blocking roads, and disrupting society and commerce until the protestors demands were met. That isn't what the No Kings 'parade' was at all...
Somewhat connected to your last couple of posts about YouTube, one in my feed yesterday reminded me that the cost of those trade sanctions Trump has imposed is ultimately borne by the working class. I would not be able to return to the Old North State even if I wanted to ...
I am learning more about pro-social anarchist history in his 'Gadgets for people who don't trust the government' post than I ever read as an undergrad ... for example:
14:00 – the Taborites and the Hussite Wars
22:00 ... another group I was only slightly familiar with, the Zapatistas
35:20 ... Goonan vs Dempsy ... 'terrorist' legally defined by beliefs, not actions.
I went to the No Kings in Missoula. At one point, all the protestors went into the street (Broadway) and started walking towards Higgins. The street was so crowded, I stayed on the sidewalk. Within half a block, a lady in hazard orange came up to me and said "Would you please walk in the street? We are supposed to keep the sidewalk clear."
I responded by saying is this a protest or a parade? Because if its the former, why would I obey, it sort of defeats the purpose of a PROTEST. She was a bit rattled, so I asked her did you apply for a parade permit, she hesitantly acknowledged that they did.
Then, to really stick the knife in, the PARADE walked up Higgins and onto Spruce street, where there is literally nothing but old buildings. They were so "out of the way" that most people wouldn't know a protest was happening. It felt like cattle being herded into a shoot.
Back in the day, a protest was about civil disobedience, blocking roads, and disrupting society and commerce until the protestors demands were met. That isn't what the No Kings 'parade' was at all...
Running, ruining. What's the difference?
Old Turkish proverb:
"When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace becomes a circus."
GREAT proverb!
I can't recall any Anglo equivalent.
;-)
Hey D.W.
Somewhat connected to your last couple of posts about YouTube, one in my feed yesterday reminded me that the cost of those trade sanctions Trump has imposed is ultimately borne by the working class. I would not be able to return to the Old North State even if I wanted to ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB3ZyXs5eEQ
For something a bit more proactive ... Benn Jordan is proving himself to be an authentic Renaissance Man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_F4rEaRduk
I am learning more about pro-social anarchist history in his 'Gadgets for people who don't trust the government' post than I ever read as an undergrad ... for example:
14:00 – the Taborites and the Hussite Wars
22:00 ... another group I was only slightly familiar with, the Zapatistas
35:20 ... Goonan vs Dempsy ... 'terrorist' legally defined by beliefs, not actions.
Cheers, and see ya soon!