St. Pat Was All About The War

One of my coworkers hinted today that something nasty happened at the St. Patrick's day parade in Denver.  So, after work, I dids me a Google and guess what?  It wasn't Denver, but rather Colorado Springs.  Having read the stories, I'd just like to say that I adore living in a country where a permit buys you a beating from over-zealous dipsticks who don't want *you* to carry a gun ('cause that might threaten their ability to administer the righteous smack-down).

Most days, I really do respect and admire law-enforcement personnel.  But I'm certain that the reader will understand how able-bodied men whipping up on septuagenarians just might sour my attitude a little.  Now if the Crips were fielding a float in the parade, I might understand a little paranoia on the part of a cop.  But a bunch of old folk accompanying a Bookmobile?

Now, I do well admit that the parade rules state that people couldn't march for social causes.  That would be the anti-fag clause, no doubt.  The organizers didn't want no assless chaps on display.  I git that.  But a group of folk displaying peace symbols, on a holiday celebrating a Catholic Saint canonized for bringing peace to Ireland*?  Yeah, that's a dangerous bunch of motherfuckers right there, ain't it?  Why didn't somebody in authority simply ask them not to carry the protest signs?  Would that have been too difficult?  Or was it simply just too enjoyable to use a nightstick on the hip of an overweight 65 year old woman?  Fun is where you find it, I guess.

Folks, this violence in the name of maintaining order has got to stop.  In Iraq, and here at home.  It's got to end or it will be the death of us all.  Violence is the tool and mother of chaos.  It does not birth order.  It never has, it never will.  Violence can keep you alive, but it will never 'make you safe'.  And the funny thing about brutality is that there's always someone who's better at it than you are.  The only real hope we have is companionship, unity, the group.  When cops start beating down grandmothers, it's time to say "Watch it, little man.  We are bigger than you."  Wanting peace is not an invite to predators, so why on Earth do we think it so?  I really wonder exactly what those CS cops were protecting and serving ...

*  I know that Patrick of Ireland was no pacifist, and much violence was perpetrated in his name.  But that ain't why we get drunk every March 17th, is it?

Comments

[pjfinn]

Yep. You're right. Any bets on whether we ever figure it out?

[moorcat]

I have no words. I cannot even imagine why this would occur. The police officers were WAY out of line and the officer in charge should be raked over the VERY hot coals. This kind of thing can only widen the gap between public and police and it was completely senseless. Please tell me there is something more to this story that even begins to explain it....

Moorcat

[Wulfgar]

I don't think so, Bro. This was a clear case of police over-reach. There is no damned excuse for beating up on 70 year olds.

[Nancy]

Right there with ya, my friend. I salute your courage and applaud your convictions, and I'm totally in agreement.

[Shane C. Mason]

It's got to end or it will be the death of us all.

Well said. I am with PJ though. I think it is the next intelligent species picking through our archaeological record that will figure it out.

[Jon]

A good number of true Irish folks don't have good things to say about ol' St Pat. Some thing he was just another invader/oppressor. I just like to drink green BEER!

[Jo Ellen]

When the police order you to disperse, and instead you fall to the ground and “go limp,” the police will drag you away. You got a problem with that? Or would you just rather be a tool and keep repeating gossip and propaganda?

[Wulfgar]

When the people we're talking about are in their sixties and seventies, then yeah, I got a problem with that. When they are lawfully permitted to be where they are, I got a problem with that. When a bunch of paranoid cops use chokeholds, brandish tasers and start whacking said old people with nightsticks, I got a real *BIG* problem with that.

And I think I'll trust my own judgment over someone who calls newspaper articles, eyewitness accounts and photographs "gossip".

[mtlibertyproject]

Don't the "no knock" SWAT team clowns fall into the same category? In my view it's a result of the police thinking they're duty is to "write citations", et al.; it's a hyper-emphasis on protect and none on serve. For example, if they expected to see a clash at the "protest", it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Remember The Usual Suspects: "If the police think it was the brother in law."

[charlesdexterward]

More madness from the right wing. If you can cheer-lead the cops dragging an old lady across the pavement, you have serious, SERIOUS mental problems. I mean years of therapy, probably in-patient to start.
I saw the pictures. Disgusting. I also read some of the back-and-forth in the comment section at the local paper. The comments by the right-wingers made me want to puke blood. What the cops did was downright Pinkerton-style thuggery, roughing up a bunch of people that would not defend themselves. Paid for by tax dollars, no less!
Why do right wingers get off on picking on
the weaker? You see it time and time again. Then if you call them on it, stand against them, they play the victim. Sick.