What's your take?

[AKIron]

Protesters are allowed to roam free instead of being locked up. Even Al-Jazeera is allowed to set up shop and report from the RNC, unlike the DNC. Which of these parties seems most likely to bring about a police state?

[Coolridr]

Democrats have steadily been taking on more socialistic and communist ideals. They are the group most likely to start a police state

[AKWeav]

Democrats have steadily been taking on more socialistic and communist ideals. They are the group most likely to start a police state

But they would do it for the common good! Really.

[Mickey1992]

How much of this is controlled by the convention and how much is controlled by the host city?

[JoeBWan17]

Originally posted by AKIron
Protesters are allowed to roam free instead of being locked up. Even Al-Jazeera is allowed to set up shop and report from the RNC, unlike the DNC. Which of these parties seems most likely to bring about a police state?

I might be remembering incorrectly here, but didn't Al-Jazeera report from the DNC also?  The only thing I remember happening at the DNC was them having to take their banner down because it was directly in one of the camera angles (which was still wrong since they had gotten the banner approved).

[hawker238]

Off topic

[AKIron]

Originally posted by JoeBWan17
I might be remembering incorrectly here, but didn't Al-Jazeera report from the DNC also?  The only thing I remember happening at the DNC was them having to take their banner down because it was directly in one of the camera angles (which was still wrong since they had gotten the banner approved).

Perhaps I was incorrect. Resisted by the DNC would probably be a more accurate description of Al-Jazeera's treatment by the DNC. Their banner was removed and I read this morning that they received no cooperation in arranging interviews. Still, I suppose they were allowed to attend.

[Sandman]

Originally posted by AKIron
Protesters are allowed to roam free instead of being locked up. Even Al-Jazeera is allowed to set up shop and report from the RNC, unlike the DNC. Which of these parties seems most likely to bring about a police state?

The GOP set up a "debate free zone" during the RNC in 2000. Bush has routinely used "freedom of speech zones" during his city visits.

Sure... they had the same thing during the DNC. Not sure if they believed that this was now the accepted political norm or that they were just doing it to prove a point. We can hope that the 2004 RNC marks the end of such policies in this country. They're ridiculous.

As for setting up a police state... consider the Patriot Act and the administration that created it.

[AKIron]

Originally posted by Mickey1992
How much of this is controlled by the convention and how much is controlled by the host city?

I dunno but I find it difficult to believe that both parties wouldn't have had a great deal of influence in the matter.

[AKIron]

Originally posted by Sandman
The GOP set up a "debate free zone" during the RNC in 2000. Bush has routinely used "freed of speech zones" during his city visits.

Sure... they had the same thing during the DNC. Not sure if they believed that this was now the accepted political norm or that they were just doing it to prove a point. We can hope that the 2004 RNC marks the end of such policies in this country. They're ridiculous.

As for setting up a police state... consider the Patriot Act and the administration that created it.

I have read much of the Patriot Act and I have no objection to it, so long as it isn't misused. It's been in effect now for what, 3 years? How many horror stories have you heard?

[Westy]

AKIron are you suddenly a neo-con champion for Al Jazeera?


 Why I'd have bet big bucks you'd have been cheering wildy for the the DNC people as they prohibited Al Jazeera from putting thier banner up and for them supposedly not helping Al Jazeera get interviews.


lol.....




" Just read about Canada allowing Al Jazeera on their TV. I joke and all but it's really hard for me to believe that the propagandists have taken over in Canada. -   AKIron July, 2004"

[Coolridr]

Originally posted by AKIron
I have read much of the Patriot Act and I have no objection to it, so long as it isn't misused. It's been in effect now for what, 3 years? How many horror stories have you heard?

Exactly...If you are not doing wrong then what do you have to hide anyway. I've read much of the patriot act too, and agree if it is followed to the letter, 99.99999 percent of us are not losing any privacy. Police state no...tool to prevent further attacks yes.

[AKIron]

I don't mind Al-Jazeera being broadcast here in the US or Canada. My point in that thread was to reveal Canada's censorship by their prohibiting Fox News while allowing Al-Jazeera. I think you knew that.

I do take pride in championing free speech though, even that of those that would deny the same to others.

Originally posted by Westy
AKIron are you suddenly a neo-con champion for Al Jazeera?


 Why I'd have bet big bucks you'd have been cheering wildy for the the DNC people as they prohibited Al Jazeera from putting thier banner up and for them supposedly not helping Al Jazeera get interviews.


lol.....




" Just read about Canada allowing Al Jazeera on their TV. I joke and all but it's really hard for me to believe that the propagandists have taken over in Canada. -   AKIron July, 2004"

[Sandman]

Originally posted by AKIron
I have read much of the Patriot Act and I have no objection to it, so long as it isn't misused. It's been in effect now for what, 3 years? How many horror stories have you heard?

Here's a start:

Daily Texan

Of course, the ACLU claims the government covers up abuses .

More...

EFF info

[AKIron]

Originally posted by Sandman
Here's a start:

Daily Texan

Of course, the ACLU claims the government covers up abuses .

More...

EFF info

Ok, from the first one:

"Federal prosecutors used the act in June to file a charge of "terrorism using a weapon of mass destruction" against a California man after a pipe bomb exploded in his lap, wounding him as he sat in his car."

Looks like no abuse of the Act here.


A North Carolina county prosecutor charged a man accused of running a methamphetamine lab with breaking a new state law barring the manufacture of chemical weapons. If convicted, Martin Dwayne Miller could get 12 years to life in prison for a crime that usually brings about six months.

This one looks like misuse of the act but 12 years still seems to light of a sentence to me. Damn, if it took the Patriot Act to put a meth maker in jail for more than 6 months I'm having a hard time seeing the injustice or danger to our liberties.