On Mon, Oct 22, 2001 at 01:03:40AM -0700, Luthor Blisset wrote:
But no - for many CACL types, those using black bloc tactics were just bored, upper-middle-class, college-age, uninformed dumbshits pointlessly throwing rocks through starbucks windows - an image similar in accuracy to that of the bored, upper-middle-class, insularly utopian
Alas, it also happens to be accurate. I've covered these protests in three cities so far, and generally the protesters have done little in the way of coherent thinking, are more united in their negative statements about capitalism and free trade and such than in their positive statements about what they wish to see happen, condemn capitalism while using the fruits of capitalism like cell phones and Palm pilots to organize their protests, and so on. Some photos: http://www.mccullagh.org/image/10/protesters-pushing-dumpster.html http://www.mccullagh.org/image/950-12/dem-protests-3.html Example of one of the well-thought-out messages: http://www.mccullagh.org/image/10/breastfeeding-is-your-right.html There are exceptions, of course. But by and large, my summary was accurate. -Declan