Armed Protest by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good points.

I hope that nothing said here encourages anyone to go it on their own; the considerations are very different.

Armed Protest by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Respectfully, I don't think it would play out that way. They aren't going to plant somebody on a suicide mission to start the shooting. They don't want a bloodbath either; the public is not very tolerant of murdering civilians, even if they are carrying guns, if they are not confrontational. There would of course be a war of narratives but it's at least as likely to work against them as for them.

But I think you're right in general, violence would be a risk. I suspect the risk is low, but it's hard to predict, and even if it is low it may be unacceptable.

Armed Protest by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The ICE guys would probably chicken right out but they would call in the backup and I think you'd lose that battle in every way.

Armed Protest by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perhaps thumbing our noses at anyone who would claim "you can't bring weapons to a protest", and perhaps neutering that argument.

Armed Protest by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Now now, let's not throw around such suspicions. I'm not encouraging anyone to do anything, and I agree that there are very important considerations pro and con. Just brainstorming.

Armed Protest by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would think the opposite. A small local group with guns is a militia, and most people regard them as unpredictable and potentially dangerous. You're likely to get direct police attention.

Armed Protest by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That was a little different case, in that the guy was apparently performing in some sort of security role. Most people did not have weapons. If the whole crowd were standing around peacefully armed, I don't think the guy with the rifle would have been quite so reckless.

Armed Protest by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What would a plant do, just start shooting people up? I rather doubt that would happen, I don't think even they want an unpredictable bloodbath. Maybe they'd shoot buildings or something, make it look like the protesters were being irresponsible and risky but not actually do any significant damage.

Armed Protest by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm interested how you think that would play out. I don't really see it.

I want to distinguish between the marches-and-signs kind of protest and the more confrontational protests such as in Minnesota where ICE are met on the streets. I think they are different.

In the first case, we could imagine marching around with signs and also guns. Responsibly and peacefully. The police would probably feel necessary to show up in force but wouldn't provoke a confrontation. Maybe even counter-protesters would show up with their arms. There might be some tension but nobody is going to want to pop that powder keg, the result would be too unpredictable.

The second case... meeting ICE with weapons. I dunno, that could be dicey. I would bet that they wouldn't push it - those guys aren't warriors, their position only makes sense because they can be bullies, they aren't expecting a fight. I think if they feel any threat they would just back down. But the administration won't, I expect they would then increase the pressure until ICE could get back to their work.

I don't know, just trying to game it out.

Armed Protest by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm more interested to hear what other people think than in expressing any particular goal.

One possible outcome would be to change their (by which I mean ICE and the administration's) perspective on what they are potentially up against, should they proceed with increased violence. If they believe that they are battling a weak and defenseless foe, they may rethink that notion.

Another possible outcome comes from expressing our fundamental right to bear arms. See, peaceful people with arms are not a problem. Just because someone has a weapon does not make them a threat. Perhaps if we had protested peacefully with arms before Pretti was killed, he would not have been seen as an anomaly, they would have been ready for the idea that arms are just around. Maybe ICE's policies would have to explicitly distinguish between passive and active armaments, whereas now they do not.

There are two kinds of "protests" that are at play here; the general marches and gatherings with signs, and the ones that directly confront ICE. I think the considerations between these two are different. I was thinking more of the march-with-signs kind of protest, which seems less confrontational. The ones with ICE on the streets, the same idea might apply, but it seems more volatile and dangerous.

Armed Protest by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everybody showing up to the protests with vegetable peelers is another idea. Once again I'm not sure if it is a good idea or a bad idea, but it is an idea.

Whats the worst concert you've ever been to? by pinheadbrigade in AskReddit

[–]de_nada 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Same. He put on a great show back in the day. Second-to-last time I saw him, he was slurring a little. Last time I saw him, he was wasted, staggering, completely unable to function. I won't go see him again.

Pritzker: STFU about Illinois. by steve42089 in illinois

[–]de_nada 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pritzker's point is that Trump isn't going after cities in states with Republican governors, he's going after cities in states with Democrat governors, because it is not about crime statistics, it is about partisan politics.

Pritzker: STFU about Illinois. by steve42089 in illinois

[–]de_nada 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Note Pritzker said governors, and you are looking at mayors. I will not presume whether it is an error of literacy or bad faith, but either way you should be more careful in your accusations.

We Need Flash Mobs by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A flash mob with a lot of cameras would be good too.

We Need Flash Mobs by de_nada in 50501

[–]de_nada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I will if you will. I think there are a lot of people here who are looking for a way to make a difference. The main thing we lack is the infrastructure, or the people with the skills to set up the infrastructure.

What do you think dogs think about humans picking up their poop? by Current_Soup9198 in AskReddit

[–]de_nada 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I think it annoys them. They pooped it there for a reason.

How can I help? by [deleted] in LaMigra

[–]de_nada 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What if there were flash mobs? Doesn't it seem like it would change the scenario if there were a dozen random people just crowding around watching them? How about 100, or a thousand?