>> ^joedirt:
SDGundhamX:
You are a fool, "we do not live in a fascist police state and that freedom of speech is alive and well"
Freedom of assembly? blah blah.. something about grievances? Oh nevermind, because your white ass knows better. It's not like you've ever tried to march in the streets or even attend a protest. I mean things look fine to you from YouTube, so clearly all is well and good. Some day you will have one of these paramilitarized stormtroopers with their boot on your throat confiscating your computer in a preemptive raid because of your thoughtcrimes or FISA snooping, and I hope to God at that moment you realize how foolish your statements were.


First off, I live in San Francisco where we protest something just about every day. I've been to the war protests--never saw anybody getting arrested that didn't deserve it (ie started disrupting traffic by sitting in the street, etc.). So before you start talking smack about people you don't even know maybe you should just ask them a point blank question--like, have you ever been to a protest? I would have happily answered you without resorting to name calling.

Second off, you need to rein in your paranoia. You know how many people have been arrested at the RNC protests? Less than 300. You know how many people are protesting? Over 10,000. So I fail to see how your delusion of us living in a fascist country holds up. The vast majority of people who went to protest at the RNC got to get their message out peacefully.

Now, those 300 or so that have been arrested weren't just randomly targeted. The cops didn't just say, "Hey let's grab that guy." Those arrested were parts of crowds that were engaged in violent acts including the smashing of windows and the slashing of tires. That's not peaceful demonstration; that is by definition rioting.

Was everyone arrested guilty? No. Some asshat anarchists started it and obviously some people who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time got caught up in the sweep. The courts will view the evidence and decide who did what. I imagine most of the charges will be dropped--something that would not happen in your imaginary fascist state.

Look, you're entitled to your opinion. You think America is becoming a police state? Great. I think you have the right to voice your opinion. But if you're going to go out there and shout that the sky is falling and that we're all fools because we don't agree with you then you shouldn't be surprised that you're met with total apathy or downright hostility in return.

SDGundhamX:

You are a fool, "we do not live in a fascist police state and that freedom of speech is alive and well"

Freedom of assembly? blah blah.. something about grievances? Oh nevermind, because your white ass knows better. It's not like you've ever tried to march in the streets or even attend a protest. I mean things look fine to you from YouTube, so clearly all is well and good. Some day you will have one of these paramilitarized stormtroopers with their boot on your throat confiscating your computer in a preemptive raid because of your thoughtcrimes or FISA snooping, and I hope to God at that moment you realize how foolish your statements were.

After reading the discussion here, I came across this from the Know Your Rights Manual for New York City Messengers and Cyclists:

"What’s the Law?
Many cops don’t even know the law. How many times were you pulled over for
something that you swore that the cop made up? Know the law, and you will
have power. This information is from Transportation Alternatives/

Rights and Responsibilities
You must obey traffic laws. Every bicyclist and in-line skater has the same
rights and is subject to the same duties as a driver of a vehicle, with certain
exceptions. (NYS 1231)

Where to Ride
Ride in the bike lane if provided, except for safety, turns, etc. (NYC 4-12, p)
On a wide one-way roadway, ride on either side. (NYC 4-12, p)
Ride on the right side of the roadway, with above exceptions. (NYS 1234)
Where Not to Ride
Don’t ride on the sidewalk unless you are twelve years old or younger. (NYC 4-
07, c)
If you ride on the sidewalk, your bike can be confiscated. (NYC Admin Code
19-176)
Don’t ride on expressways, highways, interstates or thruways unless authorized
by signs. (NYC 4-12, o)

How to Ride - How Not to Ride
Don’t hitch your bike or cling to any other vehicle on the roadway. (No skitching.)
(NYS 1233)
Don’t ride more than two abreast. Ride single file when being passed. (NYS
1234)
Use hand and arm signals to indicate turns and stops. (NYS 1237)
If you’re carrying packages, keep at least one hand on handlebar. (NYS 1235)
Don’t ride friends on the handlebars or seat. Carry only the number of persons
for which your bike is designed. (NYS 1232)
Ride with your feet on the pedals. (NYS 1232)"

For the record, I agree that the use of force here was excessive and unlawful and just plain disgusting. So onto the legalities! I can't see how biking en masse in this manner, especially on what appears to be a multiple lane one-way road, is technically legal due to the above. Can someone also explain how this falls under freedom of assembly? Disrupting traffic and ignoring cyclist laws, possibly causing collisions with other drivers and or/other pedestrians, somewhat negates the "whole assemble peaceably and in an orderly manner" under which any other protest would have to abide by. If I'm misinformed in my attempt at ascertaining the situation on a subject I have literally zero experience but am interested in, please inform me. In no way am I defending Captain McClusky's actions.

The issue has got me thinking about my own state's laws on cycling. Should I ever need to know.

He should have prefaced this with the word 'idealistically'.. In fact this is so idealistic as to be ineffectual. 'We the people' have spoken out unanimously against several things the government has done lately and to no effect. "We give the government privileges and we can take those privileges away anytime we the people have the courage to do so." ?? Give me a break. The only power to influence government we have outside of the vote is freedom to assemble, (protest), and the media keeps that from having any effect. The Iraq war has spurned the largest protest marches in our country's history and most Americans don't know they even happened.

You can only go back to basics so far, and this guy is asking us to go back to cave dwelling so to speak.

I hardly think they were being jerks - saying that about the kids, that is, is patently unfair. Hell, I was probably seconds away from getting the same treatment. http://www.videosift.com/video/Krupo-almost-got-arrested-at-the-Ride-for-Heart (Of course, I didn't have a helmet cam... but I soapboxed about my experience at the Sift anyway).

OMG - he just violated that kids constitutional rights. That cop is the biggest jerk-ass in the world.
Do Americans not have the following rights...
- Freedom of the Press?
- Freedom of Speech?
- Freedom of Mobility?
- Freedom of Assembly (Skateboarding Day: Peaceful political protest)

And some rights against unreasonable search and seizure?

Maybe not in Arkansas. Way to reinforce the redneck backwards stereotypes associated with the South.

I hope those kids manage to sue the police for all they're worth. Absolutely ridiculous.