Last gasps

The 8 protesters arrested BEFORE the RNC even started are now looking at 7 1/2 years in prison...

Last RNC Links

"A Total of Over 800 People Were Arrested During the Week Outside Republican Convention, Including At Least 19 Journalists (2 Were Associated Press Reporters)"

"The right to peacefully assemble is older than the formation of this country and is the foundation of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution."

Open Question for the People of St. Paul, Minn.

First, take a look at the video: Amy Goodman Arrested!

Now, please tell me why you would allow men who work for you, the public, and live among you (these policemen are your sons, brothers, friends, no?) to act this way. Or is there a lot of heated debate going on that we (the greater American public) are not hearing anything about? I invite comments, particularly from St. Paul people. I suspect I know what the answer will be, and I will not be happy, but very sympathetic.

Another Minn. RNC on-the-ground Account

First Hand

"First Hand Account...
I just wanted to blog this morning, after finally getting about 4 hours sleep, to tell the world - or what bit portion of it is still paying attention, my account of the RNC activism events today..."

Checkout I-Witness Video Blog : The Policing of Protest

Read about Minn. police not acting properly.

"The work of the I-Witness Video collective was interrupted this past Saturday, August 30, 2008, when St. Paul police detained 7 members of the group (along with an assortment of other individuals) for several hours. The NYC-based video collective is in St. Paul to document the policing of the protests at the Republican National Convention."

nb: Another not-a-good-thing

Russia: Website owner and government critic arrested and executed

"The owner of an internet site critical of the Russian authorities in the volatile region of Ingushetia has been shot dead in police custody."

Collectivism vs. Individuality # 1

Too Old and Frail to Re-educate? Not in China

(If you are unable to access the link, please let me know, and I will send you a copy.)

I guess it's my strong European influence (as an American), but the above story really twists me. For an entity that is so concerned with saving face, I wonder what the Chinese government is thinking.