Flattering article about me...

Radar · 08-29-2005, 09:33 AM

I was surprised this weekend to have someone send me an article that mentioned me without slamming me. It was actually complimentary and flattering.

Since this is so rare, I thought I'd share....

Birth of a New Civil Rights Movement

L.K. Samuels, LP Northern California Vice Chair

Just as Rosa Parks ignited the Civil Rights movement by refusing to move to the back of a segregated city bus in 1955, a new group of civil rights activists are refusing to let an increasingly intrusive government shove them to the back-burner. This mostly libertarian crowd is gearing up to taunt various government agencies into arresting them for things that most people would consider inoffensive.

Take the case of Mike Fisher, 23, of New Hampshire. On April 9 he walked in front of the Manchester office of the state Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics and broke a law. His hideous crime? He filed a woman's nails without a government license. Fisher endured a night in jail and was ordered to conduct himself with "good behavior" for one year. But Fisher has decided to get others to commit more far-reaching acts of civil disobedience. He has persuaded Russell Kanning of the Free State Project to refuse to show identification when he takes his next airline flight and to make sure everyone knows about it. Fisher is hoping that other airline patrons will join this peaceful protest.

In Los Angeles, Paul Ireland was arrested at the annual April 15th anti-tax demonstration sponsored by various libertarian organizations. His appalling crime? Ireland refused to disperse when a Postal official ordered him to leave the outside grounds. He and others were told to leave because they needed a permit to protest. Ireland refused to budge, arguing that he was on public property and "did not need a permit to exercise his rights." The Postal employee demanded that Ireland walk inside the Post Office so he could be
arrested. Again, he refused, but the government official pushed and twisted at his arm until, with TV cameras rolling, he complied. Inside, he was handcuffed and waited an hour for the Los Angeles Police Department to show up. The police were miffed. They said they had never arrested anyone for such a "crime".

During the 2004 Republican Convention in New York City, the Libertarian Party of Manhattan organized an "unauthorized protest" in Central Park. The government required that all demonstrators get permits for rallies and marches, but often refused to grant them. They wanted demonstrators to be contained in "Free-Speech Zones," as had happened at the Democratic Convention. The Libertarians refused to comply. They claimed that the only permit they needed was the First Amendment. One organizer remarked, "If you have to ask the government for permission to protest, you deserve to be told no." Protestors wore T-shirts that read: "Permits? We don't need no stinking permit!" Park officials watched the protestors cautiously, but did not expel anyone from the park except for an unauthorized street vendor selling sodas out of a cooler.

Even one of the 2004 presidential candidates, Michael Badnarik of the Libertarian Party, was arrested outside the 2nd Presidential Debate in St. Louis. Claiming that it was illegal for a debate funded by public money to exclude third-party candidates * especially a candidate listed on the ballot in 49 states * Badnarik crossed the police barricades to serve an "Order to Show Cause" to the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). Issued by an Arizona judge, the order sought to remedy the exclusion of other candidates at the 3rd Presidential Debate in Tempe, Arizona. Earlier that day Badnarik campaign staffers had attempted to serve the same papers at the Washington, D.C. office of the CPD. However, security guards blocked them from entering. In frustration, Badnarik decided to cross the police line to protest his exclusion from the two-party debate, arguing that his free speech had been violated.

Rosa Parks did not intentionally challenge racism or government-imposed segregation. She was merely too exhausted to move to the back of the bus when more whites stepped inside. Nonetheless, she sparked a freedom movement that changed America forever. Another such movement is poised to change it again.

Cyclefrance · 08-29-2005, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radar

The Postal employee demanded that Ireland walk inside the Post Office so he could be arrested. Again, he refused, but the government official pushed and twisted at his arm until, with TV cameras rolling, he complied. Inside, he was handcuffed and waited an hour for the Los Angeles Police Department to show up.

This really is amazing - to be force-bundled inside the Post Office. Over here that sort of thing just wouldn't happen - the counters are so badly managed that there are always too many queuing people crowding inside. Couldn't even contemplate there being enough space to swing a parcel, let alone a hand-cuffed protester. Shame also you didn't see them coming with the cuffs - presume you were unemployed at the time - i.e Radar wasn't working...?

Radar · 08-29-2005, 11:09 AM

Actually I wasn't and still am not unemployed. I was watching the video tape of my arrest the other day with my boss. My boss immediately noticed I was wearing my work badge and it was clearly visible on the video. That was pretty funny.

I saw them coming, and I knew I'd be arrested. I didn't struggle except to push against them so they could arrest me outside. But they wanted to arrest me inside the building away from cameras. After talking to a lawyer, he told me I have a strong case against them if I want to sue for the violation of my civil rights.

Elspode · 08-29-2005, 12:29 PM

Look, you guys...either declare a revolution and get on with it, or submit to the will of your Lords and Masters in Washington. What do you think this is, a freaking free country or something?

plthijinx · 08-29-2005, 12:41 PM

hell yeah, Radar! sue the bastards!

Griff · 08-29-2005, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radar

My boss immediately noticed I was wearing my work badge and it was clearly visible on the video.

Lottsa bosses wouldn't react like yours. That is a stroke of good fortune for you.

Cyclefrance · 08-29-2005, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclefrance

Shame also you didn't see them coming with the cuffs - presume you were unemployed at the time - i.e Radar wasn't working...?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radar

Actually I wasn't and still am not unemployed....I saw them coming, and I knew I'd be arrested.

Just goes to prove an old quandary once and for all, that British humo(u)r might not travel that well... we now know it doesn't.

xoxoxoBruce · 08-29-2005, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclefrance
Shame also you didn't see them coming with the cuffs - presume you were unemployed at the time - i.e Radar wasn't working...?

I got it.

footfootfoot · 08-29-2005, 06:15 PM

Two country divided by the same language?

lumberjim · 08-29-2005, 08:35 PM

sounds like you were kidnapped to me. hmmmmm......

Cyclefrance · 08-30-2005, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

I got it.

My saviour! Now what shall I do first? loosten the rope or get down from the chair? Rope, chair? chair, rope? Yeah, chair first I thi-

BigV · 08-30-2005, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclefrance

My saviour! Now what shall I do first? loosten the rope or get down from the chair? Rope, chair? chair, rope? Yeah, chair first I thi-

*snif* He was funny, right there at the end.

08-29-2005, 09:33 AM	#1
Radar Constitutional Scholar Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 4,006	Flattering article about me... I was surprised this weekend to have someone send me an article that mentioned me without slamming me. It was actually complimentary and flattering. Since this is so rare, I thought I'd share.... Birth of a New Civil Rights Movement L.K. Samuels, LP Northern California Vice Chair Just as Rosa Parks ignited the Civil Rights movement by refusing to move to the back of a segregated city bus in 1955, a new group of civil rights activists are refusing to let an increasingly intrusive government shove them to the back-burner. This mostly libertarian crowd is gearing up to taunt various government agencies into arresting them for things that most people would consider inoffensive. Take the case of Mike Fisher, 23, of New Hampshire. On April 9 he walked in front of the Manchester office of the state Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics and broke a law. His hideous crime? He filed a woman's nails without a government license. Fisher endured a night in jail and was ordered to conduct himself with "good behavior" for one year. But Fisher has decided to get others to commit more far-reaching acts of civil disobedience. He has persuaded Russell Kanning of the Free State Project to refuse to show identification when he takes his next airline flight and to make sure everyone knows about it. Fisher is hoping that other airline patrons will join this peaceful protest. In Los Angeles, Paul Ireland was arrested at the annual April 15th anti-tax demonstration sponsored by various libertarian organizations. His appalling crime? Ireland refused to disperse when a Postal official ordered him to leave the outside grounds. He and others were told to leave because they needed a permit to protest. Ireland refused to budge, arguing that he was on public property and "did not need a permit to exercise his rights." The Postal employee demanded that Ireland walk inside the Post Office so he could be arrested. Again, he refused, but the government official pushed and twisted at his arm until, with TV cameras rolling, he complied. Inside, he was handcuffed and waited an hour for the Los Angeles Police Department to show up. The police were miffed. They said they had never arrested anyone for such a "crime". During the 2004 Republican Convention in New York City, the Libertarian Party of Manhattan organized an "unauthorized protest" in Central Park. The government required that all demonstrators get permits for rallies and marches, but often refused to grant them. They wanted demonstrators to be contained in "Free-Speech Zones," as had happened at the Democratic Convention. The Libertarians refused to comply. They claimed that the only permit they needed was the First Amendment. One organizer remarked, "If you have to ask the government for permission to protest, you deserve to be told no." Protestors wore T-shirts that read: "Permits? We don't need no stinking permit!" Park officials watched the protestors cautiously, but did not expel anyone from the park except for an unauthorized street vendor selling sodas out of a cooler. Even one of the 2004 presidential candidates, Michael Badnarik of the Libertarian Party, was arrested outside the 2nd Presidential Debate in St. Louis. Claiming that it was illegal for a debate funded by public money to exclude third-party candidates * especially a candidate listed on the ballot in 49 states * Badnarik crossed the police barricades to serve an "Order to Show Cause" to the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). Issued by an Arizona judge, the order sought to remedy the exclusion of other candidates at the 3rd Presidential Debate in Tempe, Arizona. Earlier that day Badnarik campaign staffers had attempted to serve the same papers at the Washington, D.C. office of the CPD. However, security guards blocked them from entering. In frustration, Badnarik decided to cross the police line to protest his exclusion from the two-party debate, arguing that his free speech had been violated. Rosa Parks did not intentionally challenge racism or government-imposed segregation. She was merely too exhausted to move to the back of the bus when more whites stepped inside. Nonetheless, she sparked a freedom movement that changed America forever. Another such movement is poised to change it again. __________________ "I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death." - George Carlin Last edited by Radar; 08-29-2005 at 12:12 PM.

08-29-2005, 11:09 AM	#3
Radar Constitutional Scholar Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 4,006	Actually I wasn't and still am not unemployed. I was watching the video tape of my arrest the other day with my boss. My boss immediately noticed I was wearing my work badge and it was clearly visible on the video. That was pretty funny. I saw them coming, and I knew I'd be arrested. I didn't struggle except to push against them so they could arrest me outside. But they wanted to arrest me inside the building away from cameras. After talking to a lawyer, he told me I have a strong case against them if I want to sue for the violation of my civil rights. __________________ "I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death." - George Carlin

08-29-2005, 12:29 PM	#4
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Look, you guys...either declare a revolution and get on with it, or submit to the will of your Lords and Masters in Washington. What do you think this is, a freaking free country or something? __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

08-29-2005, 12:41 PM	#5
plthijinx Master Dwellar Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,197	hell yeah, Radar! sue the bastards! __________________ For your dreams to come true, you must first have a dream.

08-29-2005, 06:15 PM	#9
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	Two country divided by the same language? __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

08-29-2005, 08:35 PM	#10
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	sounds like you were kidnapped to me. hmmmmm...... __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

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