Just Got Back from Occupy Missoula!

[LAGC]

My second Montana road-trip of the year.

The crowds were decent, lots of tents -- much more lively than Occupy Boise since the Boise police won't allow squatters in the park in front of the statehouse, but just like the Tea Party events, there's always an irresponsible jackass or two who gives the whole crowd a bad name. I just missed this tid-bit from last week, but everyone was talking about it:


A 27-year-old man has been charged after Montana police found an 11-year-old boy drunk at an Occupy Missoula protest.

John Skinner encountered the boy and a friend outside a Missoula bar last week. The friend asked Skinner to buy them alcohol, and he told police he brought the boys to his tent on the protest grounds so he could keep an eye on them, police told Missoula TV station KECI.

But police said Skinner was nowhere to be found when they discovered the 11-year-old unconscious and vomiting on the lawn of the county courthouse.

Skinner was arrested and pleaded not guilty Thursday to endangering the welfare of a child. He remained in custody on $2,000 bail.

The 11-year-old boy appeared in court with his mother and pleaded guilty to underage drinking.

Occupy Missoula organizers said they have a zero tolerance policy for drinking on site and were taking the charges "very seriously."

http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/29591720/detail.html

Ah, youthful indiscretions. Unfortunately, with a crowd of any size, especially without central organization, its hard to police your own ranks to keep all the alcohol and drugs away from the camp, considering there's no one searching folks as they freely come and go. It would be nice if parents minded their own kids better, though.

Of course, Montana is a medical marijuana legal state, so it wasn't hard to detect the faint odor of burnt cannabis wafting through the air. I just hope the drug abusers don't taint the image of the protest over-all, as most folks appeared quite conservatively-dressed and sober, save the long-haired "neo-hippies" making all the noise.

It still remains to be seen what kind of political change these demonstrations can bring about...

[Kadmos]

Ah, youthful indiscretions.

WTF man?!? Buying alcohol for 11 year old boys and then bringing them to your tent when you are 27 is not a "youthful indiscretion"!!

That's more something where after a actual decent human being beats that 27 year old to death the jury acquits as a case of "some people just need killing".

[LAGC]

WTF man?!? Buying alcohol for 11 year old boys and then bringing them to your tent when you are 27 is not a "youthful indiscretion"!!

I was speaking more of the 11-year-olds who solicited the guy for alcohol in the first place. It's not like he just did it out of the blue... the kid got charged as well, if you didn't notice.

But I agree. Incidents like these certainly don't reflect well on the over-all message of the protest... just like all the misspelled signs at the Tea Party events shouldn't be used to judge the whole movement either.

But the media will pick up and run with anything that's sensational, as it sells.

[roaddog]

http://tv.breitbart.com/occupydenver-thugs-knock-motorcycle-cop-to-ground/#.Tq3_a-H4y9o.facebook

http://http://tv.breitbart.com/occupydenver-thugs-knock-motorcycle-cop-to-ground/#.Tq3_a-H4y9o.facebook

Was this a friend of yours LAGC?.

[LAGC]

Was this a friend of yours LAGC?.

HAHAHA! Nice!

No, everyone at every protest I've been to has been quite civil. Of course, when the police instigate the violence and try to suppress people's First Amendment rights of freedom of assembly, naturally some people fight back.

[Oswald Bastable]

HAHAHA! Nice!

No, everyone at every protest I've been to has been quite civil. Of course, when the police instigate the violence and try to suppress people's First Amendment rights of freedom of assembly, naturally some people fight back.

Funny...all those Tea Party rallies and the police never felt the need to instigate any violence. And all the leftist rallies...from the '60s, to the WTO rallies here and around the world, to the current OWS rallies...all that instigation of violence by the authorities...

Seems to be a rather strong dichotomy there.

Now why do you think that is? What could be the differentiating factor here?

[LAGC]

Funny...all those Tea Party rallies and the police never felt the need to instigate any violence. And all the leftist rallies...from the '60s, to the WTO rallies here and around the world, to the current OWS rallies...all that instigation of violence by the authorities...

Well, the Tea Party types, for the most part, didn't buck the system. They asked the government for permission to hold their rallies (as if you should need a permit just to exercise your First Amendment rights).

These Occupy protests are more spontaneous, they aren't organized from a central command like the Tea Party Express, that's why you see more unpredictable behavior, both on the part of the cops and the protesters.

[Oswald Bastable]

Well, the Tea Party types, for the most part, didn't buck the system. They asked the government for permission to hold their rallies (as if you should need a permit just to exercise your First Amendment rights).

These Occupy protests are more spontaneous, they aren't organized from a central command like the Tea Party Express, that's why you see more unpredictable behavior, both on the part of the cops and the protesters.

So you're saying that because they have little self-control, little ability to follow basic rules, little ability to properly organize, that excuses them?

And haven't you been attempting to equate these protests with the Tea Party rallies?

Wouldn't you say that's a particularly good reason to eschew the OWS folks as some sort of "guiding light" in a search for freedom and equality? What would have happened had Washington and the revolutionaries approached their grievances with the government in such a haphazard and dysfunctional fashion? Think they might have experienced anything other than beat downs and annihilation from the Redcoats?

However, it is good to know you put such stock in a group that is so lame they can't even decide to tie one person's shoes without a consensus opinion...it does affirm my faith in Darwin...and in the survival of the species.

Yet, don't you find it strange that it's always the "oh so tolerant and peaceful" left that's instigating violence? They claim, again and again, they're all about peace, yet it is they who throw bricks, bottles, rocks, knock police from their motorcycles, break store windows and loot. Is that who you seek to emulate?

[LAGC]

So you're saying that because they have little self-control, little ability to follow basic rules, little ability to properly organize, that excuses them?

All I'm saying is that you shouldn't need a "permit" to peaceably assemble. The First Amendment is quite clear on this matter.

The only times that SOME of the protesters get violent, is in response to police aggression in the first place, if they try to break up the protests, evict people from public parks, etc.


Yet, don't you find it strange that it's always the "oh so tolerant and peaceful" left that's instigating violence? They claim, again and again, they're all about peace, yet it is they who throw bricks, bottles, rocks, knock police from their motorcycles, break store windows and loot. Is that who you seek to emulate?

I haven't heard of any looting at any of these protests. Have you heard otherwise?

[Kadmos]

I was speaking more of the 11-year-olds who solicited the guy for alcohol in the first place. It's not like he just did it out of the blue... the kid got charged as well, if you didn't notice.


Oh, well if the kid asked him then he pretty much had to buy it for them right?

I mean to do otherwise would just be not cool.

Seriously though, the only youthful indiscretion about that is the kid asking. Any normal person shakes his head no and sends the kids packing.

A kid sneaking some of his dads booze is a youthful indiscretion, anything that involves strange men buying kids alcohol and then taking them to his tent is more of a potentially lynching type indiscretion.

[LAGC]

Oh, well if the kid asked him then he pretty much had to buy it for them right?

I mean to do otherwise would just be not cool.

Seriously though, the only youthful indiscretion about that is the kid asking. Any normal person shakes his head no and sends the kids packing.

A kid sneaking some of his dads booze is a youthful indiscretion, anything that involves strange men buying kids alcohol and then taking them to his tent is more of a potentially lynching type indiscretion.

No, I totally agree with you. The man was completely in the wrong, and the Occupy folks acknowledge this and are being more vigilant to make sure nothing like that happens again.

It is just interesting though how the corporate media focuses on the strange and bizarre events and not the more common grievances the protesters. Kind of like how they portrayed the Tea Party events as just a bunch of "disgruntled older-aged white folks" who couldn't spell.

The corporate media clearly has an interest in maintaining the status quo.

[Oswald Bastable]

All I'm saying is that you shouldn't need a "permit" to peaceably assemble. The First Amendment is quite clear on this matter.

The only times that SOME of the protesters get violent, is in response to police aggression in the first place, if they try to break up the protests, evict people from public parks, etc.

And the 10th Amendment is quite clear that the states have the right to expect certain rules are followed regarding peaceable assembly. The constitution restrains the federal gov't. in these matters. The individual states have the right to kick dirty hippies out of their state and local parks if they want to.

So you're saying it's all about police aggression when they attempt to forcibly evict people violating state statutes and those people react violently? And what about the whole "oh so tolerant and nonviolent" aspect that the left always stresses? Does that go out the window because they don't recognize the 10th? Are they allowed to pick and choose? And if so, why are they to be so specailly treated?


I haven't heard of any looting at any of these protests. Have you heard otherwise?

Not yet at the OWS rallies, though I've no doubt it's coming...it is, after all, in their mandate against the country's producers, isn't it? Mostly we've seen it at the "oh so tolerant and nonviolent" WTO rallies over the last decade or so.

Again, you give me hope, ala Darwin. You're destined to find yourselves in shallow graves, if not as useful idiots, then certainly when the silent majority speaks softly with a big stick.

[Kadmos]

Oh, I'm not saying judge the whole movement off of this one guys stupid actions or anything like that. All groups are going to have some dumbass members (except mensa maybe ;) )

No reason to downplay it either though, guy was an idiot, he got arrested, one assumes he will pay for that and hopefully learn a lesson.

Doesn't exactly make the movement look good, but it's not the end of the world for them or anything either.

The fact is, either way, no matter what party, or cause, the media will generally find a way to make fun of protesters. It just tends to be a target rich environment.

[El Jefe]

Lets see, a bunch of hippie losers protesting in Missoula MT. Yeah, that'll change everything.:losing-it:

[1 Patriot-of-many]

You know you're full of shit. When leftists, democrats, commies and socialist "protest" it almost ALWAYS leads to violence. Disregard for the law. LOOTING, STEALING, ARSON, RAPE, TRASH is almost 100% predictable. How many arrests were made at the 1000's of TEA party rallies? How many arrests and what trash was left at say Glen Becks massive DC rallies?

When the conservatives and libertarians protest, they pick up after themselves, obey the law, are 100% peaceful.

Lefties try to justify anything.

[1 Patriot-of-many]

All I'm saying is that you shouldn't need a "permit" to peaceably assemble. The First Amendment is quite clear on this matter.

The only times that SOME of the protesters get violent, is in response to police aggression in the first place, if they try to break up the protests, evict people from public parks, etc.



I haven't heard of any looting at any of these protests. Have you heard otherwise?

Lots of reports of THEFT, RAPE even, and total disregard for the law. Sorry you do not have the right to occupy public land for months at a time. SORRY there are rules and laws you Commies have to follow too.

[El Jefe]

Anytime it's below 50 degrees the fire department needs to break out the hoses and soak these bastards down. :)

[Krupski]

WTF man?!? Buying alcohol for 11 year old boys and then bringing them to your tent when you are 27 is not a "youthful indiscretion"!!

That's more something where after a actual decent human being beats that 27 year old to death the jury acquits as a case of "some people just need killing".

When my sister and I were young (like 10 and under) we used to LOVE to go to the old Pollock weddings because we got to drink!

Damn it was fun... tossing down one 7-7 after another and dancing around to polka music. Somehow, I don't ever remember getting home though. One minute I'm having all kinds of fun, next I'm waking up in my bed.

Good old times.

[Krupski]

All I'm saying is that you shouldn't need a "permit" to peaceably assemble. The First Amendment is quite clear on this matter.

Cannot argue that statement.

[bum_whisperer]

Incidents like these certainly don't reflect well on the over-all message of the protest... just like all the misspelled signs at the Tea Party events shouldn't be used to judge the whole movement either.

But the media will pick up and run with anything that's sensational, as it sells.

Neither does shitting where you sleep and eat, but that hasn't stopped these fools. None of that happened at any Tea Prty event I attended...nor were any cops dispatched, 11yo boys raped, etc. The ows movement could be best described as a bowel movement.

Your media is on your side and not the side of sanity.

[bum_whisperer]

Anytime it's below 50 degrees the fire department needs to break out the hoses and soak these bastards down. :)

Put some soap in the pump and wake them up first thing in the AM too. LOL!!

[shotdown61]

http://tv.breitbart.com/occupydenver-thugs-knock-motorcycle-cop-to-ground/#.Tq3_a-H4y9o.facebook

http://http://tv.breitbart.com/occupydenver-thugs-knock-motorcycle-cop-to-ground/#.Tq3_a-H4y9o.facebook

Was this a friend of yours LAGC?.

You might want to take that second video off.My norton security just blocked it.