Bill, it's too fine a day to waste it reading drivel.
Most of the posts to this list seem to assume that Critical Mass will be at the
Republican Convention en masse just to "turn the Twin Cities upside down." That
sure gives CM, a loose association of pedalers, much more power than there
pedals warrant. In my estimation, they are not organized enough to do that,
particularly since they insist on bring their bicycles with them everywhere
they go.
A national political convention is, in my estimation, something to be avoided
at all costs, either as a player, observer, or service provider. But anyone who
goes to one for either the Reps. or the Dems. should be prepared for quite a
lot of hoo-hah and general mayhem from conventioneers, protesters, cops,
undercover FBI and Secret Service agents, enthusiasts, and trouble makers.
Locally, the least salubrious of those who will appear hoping for a dustup will
be the Skinheads. Though small in number, they live for brawls and will try to
create one just to throw punches and kicks. (Funny story: a decade ago =/-, a
gaggle of Skinheads appeared on Peavey Plaza, on that pretty summer day hosting
a small celebration. A principal speaker was enrolled White Earth member Vernon
Bellcourt. Mr. Bellcourt is a middle aged, tall, thin specimen of the Dakota
nation, with traditionally braided, greying hair. One Skinhead ignoramous, six
feet tall, wearing metal studded boots and wristlets, and other leather
accoutrements (hmm) got right in Vernon's face and shouted, "Go back where you
came from," baring his need for a dentist, the chords of his neck standing out
in high relief. Vernon, no fool he, declined to engage.)
The bulk of protesters at the RNC will be a combination of free speech
promoters, who will hurl words through angry mouths, and the opposition to the
current administration, many, though not all, of whom will be democrats. They,
too, will hurl words. Many will loft signs of protest. They will be present
under terms of the Constitution, excercising the right of the people to
peaceably assemble seeking redress of grievances.
There will be welcoming enthusiasts of the Republican party and
conventioneers, some of whom will also be primed for a confrontation. If we are
lucky, they will only hurl words.
There will be undercover FBI and Secret Service mixed in with the crowd, and
FBI and Secret Service with traditional "suits, ties, skinny brim hats, and
black shiny FBI shoes," and ear buds, their uniform.
There will be more uniformed cops from several jurisdictions than you will want
to see all at once.
And media, media, media, media, media, on foot, with cameras, in trucks, in
helicopters, with microphones and lights and whatever else they tote around.
All of this fermenting stew will be massed around the entrances to Energy
Center in St. Paul, or as near as they will be "allowed" to get.
I think it a very safe bet that all these people protesting, welcoming,
organized and disorganized, in uniform and out, with a small contingent of
nogoodniks (on any/all sides) can guarantee a melee. Someone(s) will start
stuff "just to see what happens," and that will be all it takes.
If we're very lucky, some will have enough of a sense of self-preservation to
run or take shelter. Unfortunately, if a crowd is large enough, many in the
crowd will not see a problem erupt, but will feel the brunt of one that
happens. Once inside a crowd, you can see nothing except the bodies immediately
ajacent.
If both the Reps. and the Dems. were to hold their conventions here, I would
want to be able to protest at both conventions. While the Reps., presently in
power, have given us nothing but grief and arrogance, the dems haven't done us
any favors either and need to be told so quite thoroughly.
In short supply at national conventions next year? Humor and a general air of
optimism.
WMarks, Central