RNC Blog Comments

from DD: We also were calling them the storm troopers when they were marching to and fro downtown St. Paul. What a difference from the police I encountered in DC when there to protest, who did not wear riot gear and just stood to the side and made sure the protest was peaceful. It was.

from Anne: You did a nice job with your blog and pictures, Larry. I didn't get to the community meeting last night, but it sounds as though lots of people did. I heard you briefly on MPR this morning so I knew you were one of the folks testifying. Good job.

from SJ: Dear Larry: Thanks for the being there, observing and sharing the information. I forwarded this to more than 20 people. Unfortunately I was unable to attend last night, but some of the people that I sent it to did plan to come. I am interested in future developments and meetings. And, of course I gave it to my sons and husband to read. Thanks again for doing this, best regards.

from Liza: Hey, Larry. I saw a lot of what you describe, and your blog post makes me proud to live in your old house. Keep telling the truth. Peace. -l

from Lisa: This blog is shocking! I mean, I guess I should not be surprised at anything anymore, but for God's sake! Thanks for sharing, Larry.

from Donna: Hi Larry! Good job on the coverage of the RNC protests. Thank you for being there and documenting truths. I do not understand why there has to be such a militaristic show on the part of police. Perhaps because there had been so many hired - they felt like they had to dig in and do dramatic stuff to earn their money. I know that sounds sarcastic or mean, but sometimes I think that's why things like this are overdone by "peace" keeping forces. Perhaps they are being safe rather than sorry - but whatever happened to the so-called American motto of innocent until proven guilty? It sounds to me that most of the protesters you witnessed were being peaceful. Phil and I were downtown on Kellogg street when a window was broken - so we witnessed the aftermath of some destructive protesting. We didn't witness anything other than that - only because we were in the middle of moving - and driving to AZ within the next few days. I wanted to participate in a march - but because of the move and because WE'RE EXPECTING I thought I shouldn't risk breathing in tear gas and hurt the baby's health.

from Paul: Larry, Just had a chance to read your blog. The first word that comes to mind is unbelievable but then of course so much of what has happened in the last dozen years that word has lost all meaning. Sort of like the words sopeona or torture. I know it isn't much but I'll be sure to write letters to the listed officials.

from Paula: Thanks for sharing Larry. Well documented. I was at the Labor day March with the Pink ladies. We were amazed that all this drama was going on. But it was unnerving seeing the storm troupers. Yes, they did remind me of Star Wars. We were held back from going near the Excel. There needs to be said, that intimidation often cause fear and more acting out.

from Mary: We can only hope - and do what needs to be done, i.e. protest and inform. You are doing both, far better than this ancient jaundiced person. To probably misquote JFK, on earth God's work must surely be our own. Carry on! M

from Eric: Larry, I followed a lot of what was happening through some friends who were observing it and reporting on it. I commend what you're doing. My own chief concern is the phony balance in the general political news coverage, which means lies and cheating by one side must be balanced by an equal amount of negative reporting on the other. It's a distressing time with a lot of evil stuff in the air, just like four and eight years ago. But the news reporters are leashed, and the newspapers and broadcasters are cowardly. Eric

from John: Hey Larry, Thanks for the blog and your brave and thought provoking coverage of the RNC protests. I was at the initial September 1st protest.Here is my story. Over the past year to year and a half, I have been studying, learning, and visiting the various websites of the groups who planned to protest the RNC. I even went to a few early rallies to protest the dragged out process of obtaining the permits. So I could stay up to date with all the various groups, I joined their mailing lists. Some of the groups I followed were the Protest.net, Moveon.org, Justvew.org, PaxProtest.net, Protest the RNC 2008, and yes, to keep my eyes wide open i visited the RNC Welcoming Committee. I visited these sites almost daily. When I returned home from the protest, which is another several pages of blogging, I noticed an email had been sent from my private, home, personal email account to everyone in my address book. The time stamp is when the protest began. People were asking and calling me about the bizarre email. I was going to write an explanatory email to everyone but when i went to my email contacts, my entire address book was missing. Each of my on-line shopping sites had a minimal $5 charge on them for an article that did not exist. The past two years, I have had "invaders" in my computer. I have been fighting them off but losing. Not many people believe the "conspiracy theory" but I've had my entire email deleted and sent back to me as one item. I have had people posing as me on the internet with information that is only available on this computer. One person used pictures and hand writing samples found on my computer. At times, I have watched my cursor move with out my using it.I find it hard to believe that with my interest in social protest, that I have had occasions of invasion by outside watchers. It has caused great strife in my life. I thought you might be interested in my contact and dealings with the Patriot Act. Thank you for the work you do, Larry. I believe we must continue our vigilance as continue to spiral away from being a free people. Peace, jz

from Mary: Thank you. This is painful to read, impossible to comprehend. You have done a beautiful job of capturing a terrible time in St. Paul. Yours is the most insightful report I've read. I was (purposely) out of town during the madness but your report brings it all home. I appreciate your commitment, the work of the Lawyers Guild, and the time you've taken to provide this insider's assessment.

from Mark: Hey Larry - Thanks for putting your thoughts together. You pretty much nailed it. I haven't been able to articulate in any rational way why I was and still am so upset by what I saw during RNC week. And then reading that lame letter from the Mayor in the Pioneer Press on Sunday really pissed me off. I've managed many outbursts with words like "over reaction", "total bullshit", "storm troopers" and "I guess they had to spend their 50 million on something", but nothing that made me sound like anything but a raving fool. Reading your well thought out reflection really put it all together for me in something other than my own immediate gut reactions and made me realize I just may still be sane. Thanks man. - Mark

from Russ: Larry, thanks for your thoughts and for sharing your first-hand impressions on your blog. The reporting on your blog really helps me and others get a fuller picture of what happened. I do have a lot of questions regarding the necessity of some of the tactics employed by law enforcement, I just hesitate to comment before having a fuller picture, as I was not present at any of these events. If the criminal activity involved has been over-stated by the Police Department, I will be extremely disturbed and will act accordingly.

from Andrea: Larry, Thanks for the contact information. I read your blog -- fascinating and scary as well as sad. I'm so glad I was able to be a legal observer even for a day. Andrea

from SB: I am also disappointed that our police choose to make a few protesters the focus instead of leaving things alone. It is disappointing that this type of news gets the headlines and that these people are not just ignored. You sound like you were the man on the spot for many things over the course of the RNC. Good photos and web site. Glad you are OK.

from Ted: Wrong place, wrong time, wrong lessons from the RNC Larry, I believe my heart has finally sorrowed irreparably seeing my city become a military garrison. God have mercy on us all. Ted

from GM: Larry, Good blog notes, photos too. It is indeed sad you need to say what you say. For sure the "powers that be" will hear from us. Maybe even Fletcher...

from Lisa: Thanks for being there, Larry. I know it must make a difference when the police know that people, especially attorneys, are watching them. (I was at the march on Labor Day). It was/is all very sobering! Lisa

from CD: thanks for pics and update. i know you know it's very important to have observers like your self out there. THANKS......