Anarchists' 'offer' a cheap publicity stunt

Rocky Mountain News

Published August 1, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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It's a deal only an anarchist could love - or, in this case, propose: Take your wads of capitalist cash that would otherwise be used to protect against riots, give it to the needy of Denver, and the anarchists will promise to save the human blockcades (or whatever mischief they have planned to disrupt the Democratic National Convention) for another day.

So goes the offer from the bandanna-cloaked activists threatening to turn this month's DNC into the next Battle of Seattle. But since anarchism is fundamentally opposed to our "corrupt" system of government, isn't it ironic that they'd request the $50 million in federal security funds be redirected to government-administered health care, poverty and education programs?

Wouldn't an anarchist welfare system be completely opposed to the bureaucratic structure, preferring that funds be distributed via a pickup truck and a leaf blower instead?

And if our current system of government is so corrupt and illegitimate, why are anarchists recognizing its authority in the first place by offering to negotiate? Even in the rare likelihood that any city official perked an ear at this ludicrous bit of blackmail, there's no way the anarchists would miss their chance to mug for the cameras or wreak mischief during the last week of August.

Just ask "Beaver With Cleaver" and "Cat With Bat," two armed puppets advocating the "disruption, subversion and total destruction" of the DNC and its GOP counterpart in a video placed on YouTube a week ago and produced by some of the groups planning to protest here.

Can these anarchists be dissuaded with a handout of capitalist-pig cash? When cats and beavers fly.

• August 1, 2008

  4:40 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Shadow writes:

  These groups are being fed by other groups like recreate 68, and code pink. For them to actually think that any rational person would even contemplate giving the 50 million to charity and cut back on security is laughable.

  The anarchrist are going to do their little disruption no matter what. Any copitulation to their demands will be seen as an invitation to push the envelope on their stunts.

  They are nothing but little cowards, most born with silver spoons rebelling against society for the sake of rebelling. Over half of them have no clue as to why they protest they just love the idea of being able to destroy someone elses property.

  I say let them start trouble. Let them begin to destroy public and private property. Film their actions, get all of it on tape. Let them run amok. Then as they try to run and flee from the scene. Have the police block all exits. Bring the paddy wagon forth, watch thier little heads as they get cuffed and stuffed.

  Any Judge they stand before needs to remember that they serve at the publics pleasure when sentanceing these punks. Community service and high, very high fines along with a mandatory 8 months stay at a city facility, would be still kind to these trouble makers.

• August 1, 2008

  7:19 a.m.

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  Gonzopozo writes:

  I just can't fathom what their "real" agenda was in making this offer. Just made them look more foolish and delusional than they already are.

• August 1, 2008

  8:11 a.m.

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  FlyfishDude52 writes:

  Once again, this appears to be "negotiating with terrorists."

  No matter what the anarchists say they will or will not do holds no credibility. They, at this point, are testing the gullibility of the Denver City government. Which is, in my opinion, highly suspect at this time.

  So let's do the thing that sounds good. Spend the $50M on the communitie's hot spots; low cost housing, getting homeless off the streets, etc. Then WHAMMO! The conventions begins & guess who shows up with evil intheir eyes? Bingo! The anarchists. What does denver do then?

  OK They can't spend the money before the convention, thereby having the funds, in escrow so to speak, in case the wackoes act up. & if they don't cause problems then will this money ACTUALLY go to community causes? There's the rub. Once denver's politicoes find this windfall of unattached dollars do you REALLY believe that they'll do the right thing? I trust the anarchists more than I trust denver city government.

  No matter which way this falls how about if each and every one of this keep a close eye on the $50M. That poses a very serious question. I know city budgets, payroll, etc. are supposed to be public record. Does that apply to this, after the convention of course?

• August 1, 2008

  9:38 a.m.

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  woodwose writes:

  All these 'anarchists' are is a bunch of self-important, spoiled, children of the wealthiest society in human history. They leach of the indulgence of our permissiveness, and the fruits of other people's labor. The are the pimple on the butt of our culture, and just like a real pimple, if you leave it alone and keep it clean, it will go away.

  Just ignore those idiots.

  But keep the fire hoses and water cannons handy just in case they need a bath.

• August 1, 2008

  3:05 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Ringmaster writes:

  The anarchists will soon find out that this ain't Seattle.

• August 1, 2008

  4:32 p.m.

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  Lowtaxequalsfreedom writes:

  True anarchist believe is self government and no state. This would mean that there would be no such thing as forced taxation which is what we currently have. True anarchist also strongly believe in private property. Both the person and actual property. Property consisting of the fruits of ones labor.

  This group should be advocating the 50M be returned to it's rightful owners the original payer. Are these folks not just the violent branch of the Democratic party? They are using coercion to force us to give money to their cause. They are acting just like the state. These people are not anarchist but rather a group of people who love the concept of state as long as it is them who are calling the shots.

  You people give true anarchy a very bad name and are justifying the need for such a huge government. You should be calling yourself violent socialist or better yet violent communist.

• August 1, 2008

  7:39 p.m.

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  Castle writes:

  I think the "anarchists" are really socialits just hopeing for another free hand out at the expence of the American tax payer. Look up the term Anarchist, they don't believe in any form of government, where as a socialist depends on the government to support them. I think they are pulling your leg about what they really are. If they decide to throw their little hissy fit, I hope there is room for them in the Dever jail.

• August 2, 2008

  2:53 p.m.

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  Lowtaxequalsfreedom writes:

  "isn't it ironic that they'd request the $50 million in federal security funds be redirected to government-administered health care, poverty and education programs?"

  Sounds like Democrats to me. Only this time they are hiding behind bandanas. Pelosi is that you? Ritter I think I saw your wrist watch.

  If they were demanding that this money was spent on the war or Medicaid I would be saying that they were violent Republicans.

  Fact is they are all a bunch of statist.

• August 4, 2008

  9:06 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Lowtaxequalsfreedom writes:

  Duncan,

  You are correct 50M is ridiculous. The question is what to do with the 50M?

  Immediately return the 50M to the original owners is the chant of the freedom fighter.

  Redistribute 50M to the homeless, healthcare, and environ is the chant of the DNC and the Fabian socialists.

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