DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Palus Politicus ‘It was like being preyed upon’: Portland protesters say federal officers in unmarked vans are detaining them

Did you know there have been daily protests in Nashville? No you didn't. Why? Because the national media isn't covering peaceful protest. The vast majority of the protests are peaceful. But according to you, they're over?



I don't think I'm the one being dim here. It seems you feel you have the right to tell others when "the cause is right". Once again, the vast majority of the protests have been peaceful. If you can't see this is nothing more than Trump using federal forces as a political move I don't feel it is I who is being dim.



You do know I'm all for punishing those that are guilty of such things, right? You do understand they were being arrested without Trump bringing in the feds, right? And are you aware that in Portland bringing in the feds has increased the crowd sizes and made tensions worse?



So is there a difference between protestors and those who riot? Gassing and harassing people who are not criminals is nothing more than trying to silence people and intimidate them.



You are correct. But that has nothing to do with intimidating those who are doing none of those things.



So let's use your own logic for a moment. If I have a group of ten friends and one or two of them are doing the wrong thing, I should just abandon the other eight or nine of them? Or would common sense dictate that having 80% to 90% of my friends being good people would create a situation that people using common sense would see those ten people as a whole are a pretty good group of people?

You pretty much described the entire picture with your own words. Those opposing the protests are ignoring 80% to 90% of the good people by labeling them along with the other 10% to 20% of those causing the trouble.



I guess if you freely admit that between 80% to 90% of the protestors are peaceful but still stand by the rest of what you're saying, I don't either.

I saw that on ABC NBC,CBS,MSNBC.CNN.......NOT

That video is pretty surreal. The agent isn't going easy on him and he just doesn't move at all.

You would have a point if only that were true. Portland was arresting people long before Trump sent in the goon squad.

Blllllllt....that a fart.

They just tear gassed Portland's mayor last night. He must have been involved in the riot.

I am just commenting on what I see here. You want to comment on Nashville, we can talk about that.

I like talking about Tennessee. I have lived here about 41 years now.

Right now we have covered so many different topics I'm not even sure which one you are referring to.

Eve and Fate: I think both of you are intelligent human beings. Don't lower yourself to Perfect's level. I am going to try and appeal to your logical senses. Of course, you can tell me to shove it where the sun don't shine. LOL

I think we all three agree that the violence is horrid. I think we agree that the violence, rioting, and looting hurt the cause of the black community. I think we can agree the media is mostly stirring up trouble and leans left. I think you have seen me call out the left, some blacks, and certain posters.

So, I want to run this by you. I am not asking you to ignore the poor behavior. But, I am going to ask you to consider some of the things that are the genesis of peaceful protests.

Please consider that too many blacks are being profiled by the police. Please consider that some police officers cross the line and that police brutality is a real thing. Please consider that it might be harder to obtain a good education and practice a healthy lifestyle when you are impoverished. Please consider that many workplaces still are practicing unfair hiring policies that make it harder for black people to land good jobs. Please consider that there are whites who are very racist and that is tough when you are the minority group.

I am not asking you to excuse poor behavior. I am not asking you to expect some sense of accountability for their own issues. I am not asking you bow down and agree to some of the ridiculous demands by BLM.

I'm simply asking you take some time and consider what things look like through their eyes. I am asking you to use the intelligence that you both possess to consider that some changes need to be made. I am asking you as human beings to find compassion in your hearts for your fellow human beings. I am asking that you don't allow the poor behavior of individuals to tarnish your view of the entire group.

I hope that isn't offensive and I want you to know that I chose you two to speak to because I respect both of you, but my real message was to a whole lot of folks. For all I know, you two are already doing those things. I just used you as a vessel for the message. I meant no offense at all and I was not making any inferences on how you feel.

So again, you can tell me to kiss off if you like. I'm just trying to .........well, you know what I'm trying to do, right?

Hi. Nobody complains about peaceful protests.

We complain about violence.

The disconnect occurs where peaceful protestors are Ok with the violence even if they arent committing the violence themselves.


That's what turns us off to the cause.

I will never be ok with that.


I dont know what else to say about it.

Also I dont know why you had to come up with this whole speech about understanding the black mans plight with regards to current events.

Dont talk down to me. It makes you look stupid.

Cheers, indeed!!!

He is. Just understand that and it makes it easier.


JMO

Are you calling me stupid, peen?

Portland Mayor Tear Gassed at Protests, Accuses Federal Officers of Engaging in 'Urban Warfare'

BY SANYA MANSOOR JULY 23, 2020 8:40 AM EDT

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler accused federal officers of an “egregious overreaction” and “engaging in urban warfare” after being caught in tear gas while protesting Wednesday night, according to videos posted on Twitter by The New York Times.

Wheeler can be seen wearing goggles and a mask, closing his eyes and holding his nose in a haze of tear gas, according to a video captured by Times journalist Mike Baker.

“I’m not going to lie. It stings. It’s hard to breathe and I can tell you with 100% honesty I saw nothing that provoked this response,” Wheeler said. He told Baker that federal officers were not deploying a “deescalation strategy.”

“This is flat-out urban warfare and it’s being brought on the people of this country by the president of the United States and it’s got to stop now,” Wheeler said. “This is a threat to our democracy.”

The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment on last night’s protests from TIME.

The incident came after Wheeler addressed a large crowd of protesters — many of whom mocked, booed or even cursed at him throughout the night. Wheeler is also the city’s police commissioner. Portland police, in addition to federal officers, have also been criticized by protesters for their heavy-handed approach.



“The reason I am here today is to stand with you no matter what,” Wheeler told the crowd,” according to video captured by the Washington Post. “If they launch the tear gas against you, they’re launching the tear gas against me.”


Wheeler reiterated his desire for federal officers to leave Portland, saying “they were not asked to be here” or “properly trained to be here.”

As the mayor spoke, some protesters projected a list of demands behind him onto a side of the Justice Center, the Washington Post reported. They included defunding the Portland Police Bureau by at least 50% to reinvest into communities and “especially the Black community,” freeing all protesters from jail, getting federal officers out of Portland and his resignation.

Protests in Portland have lasted for more than 50 days following the May 25 killing of George Floyd by police. They intensified in recent weeks as the Trump Administration sent federal officers to the city, who have been accused by many, including Oregon’s governor and attorney general, of escalating the situation and engaging in aggressive tactics. Trump has said that he intends to send federal officers to even more cities in the U.S..

https://time.com/5870622/portland-mayor-..._48tj7SPcB2VwBc

smh Jackbooted thugs.

This is the third time that information has been posted on this thread. And the term "jackbooted" that was used in the follow-up post is already old. It was effective the first time when Clem said it, but now it's just another label to slander a group of people.

Also, why haven't any of you posted the entire story of the mayor and the tear gas. Like the ones calling for him to resign and people booing him while he was speaking?

I swear to the High Heavens, it's amazing to me how much energy folks on both sides spend on trying to demean the other.

Seriously, it's hard to believe that w/all the information available to us, we still have so many people attempting to place all the blame on one side or the other.

I posted the article that I saw and thought was related to this thread. I didn't see any other articles about it. If you have other articles that you have seen that you think should be posted, please post them. I am sure that the rest of us would appreciate the opportunity to read them

I'll pass.

Our country is facing a crisis and it's very divided. I have no interest in furthering that divide.

Leave him be. He’s on a self appointed mission to save us all.

Apparently you can't reinforce your viewpoint - only the "other side" or people in the "middle" are permitted to do that. Please pay attention !

Jesus!

No doubt my sarcastic response was harsher than intended and undeserved because I am still so disappointed that people want to use some lunatic that knelt on a kids neck to try and tarnish the whole BLM movement. A sickening act by a moron used inappropriately for perceived political capital. Actually the sort of thing I thought you were rallying against.

That said - one other poster that I saw referenced the Mayor being tear gassed in one sentence, maybe I missed others? But no news story or journalism .... I don't think it's unreasonable to post an article about that incident even if it has been commented on. And then you basically implied (when you said that you weren't interested in furthering the divide) that Jester was trying to create divide, which I don't see at all. You then went on to suggest that he should have posted stories about calls for the Mayor to resign ... I don't see why he has to do that either.

We've had dozens and dozens and dozens of videos all essentially of the same "violence" ... I didn't see you or others complaining (other than the source). You didn't call for that poster to post the peaceful videos did you?

I get that in your mind you are trying to stay in the middle and trying to encourage people to bridge the divide ... but from here it seems you are not being impartial and equitable with regards to when and who you decide to chastise.

Reporting things that actually happened are now called furthering the divide. It's a tactic of censorship.

I think the slippery slope here is someone will post an article about what "actually happened" while the article itself is either misleading or isn't telling the whole story. And it is simply provided as definitive proof of something. There's very little investigation or question asking going on. I mean some of the stuff you read from both sides if you don't walk away thinking there has to be more to the story a lot of it is just being used as confirmation bias.

I agree that once you get away from the actual facts of the events that happened, bias gives you a slant to which way the story leans.

But the mayor getting tear gassed is a fact and not a distortion. There was what they called, "A wall of mom's" that actually peacefully stood between the protestors and the federal agents the night before. They too got gassed.

The problem is when the violence and destruction grab the headlines and everything else gets ignored. It paints a one sided picture that closely resembles exactly what you described.

I would never try and deny that there aren't people engaging in criminal activity. As such those people should be tried and convicted of their crimes. But what we have seen on this board far more often than not is everyone being lumped into the criminal element. That's patently false.

Or what?

Always telling the half of the story that furthers your own political agenda, and in such a way that it always makes one side look better, is also a tactic of censorship.. and it has become the cornerstone of the American media. And yes, it absolutely furthers the divide.

There are probably 3rd world dictators who marvel at how obedient our media is to their cause without even being forced and state controlled.

Okay man, I am a bad person. Ignore the post that I made towards Eve and Fate, you know, the one where her and peen called me stupid for trying to understand what the black people are facing.

This "side" stuff is nauseating. You guys pick and choose what to address and what to ignore. It's all about your dumb-ass sides.

Good God...........I was trying to steer the conversation in how we can help the minorities and y'all completely ignore that and go on yet another attack over what you perceived as a slight.

The Lord helps those that helps their self, try that for starters

Proverbs 19:17

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done."

Amen my brother

So, does anyone on either side want to discuss this? Or, do we just want to continue insulting one another and furthering the divide?



I think that folks that are on either side or in the middle can address some of these issues. Right? They are issues. Right? Can we do so w/out name-calling and insults? Can we discuss these issues w/intelligence and maturity?

Are both sides capable of actually listening to one another? Can we at least try and work towards finding some solutions through honest discourse? Or, do we want to continue to throw stones at one another?

The Justice Department on Friday announced that it has arrested 18 people on federal charges for their roles in riots and protests that have raged for weeks near a federal courthouse in Portland.

The U.S. attorney for Oregon announced the charges concerning alleged criminal conduct near the Hatfield Courthouse, which has been under siege by protesters and is being protected by federal law enforcement from the DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security.

Charges include assault on federal officers, property damage, trespassing on federal property, arson and failing to comply with lawful orders. All have made first appearances in federal court and were released pending trials or other court proceedings, the DOJ said in a statement.

Court documents said that protests, which have been ongoing for more than 50 days, have often been followed by criminal activity, including assaults on law enforcement, destruction of property, vandalism and arson.

“U.S. Marshals Service deputies and officers from the Federal Protective Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection working to protect the courthouse have been subjected to nightly threats and assaults from demonstrators while performing their duties,” the DOJ said in a press release.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/doj-arrests-18-portland-alleged-property-damage-assaults-on-police

Out of millions of peaceful protesters and 50 days of mostly peaceful protesting....lol ..... 18 bad guys. That’s it? Y’all been saying that most all these protests were violent filled with bad guys? Pffft trump and his supporters continue to lie.

I did not realize how well orchestrated ANTIFA was until seeing the Chicago Grant Park footage. If you haven't seen it, you have to check it out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtxLhprBpDk

A couple of takeaways from this:
The cops were clearly anticipating an attack. Some of the footage is from a drone and they most likely had a good reason for keeping it up in the air in advance of the clash. I know that they are monitoring social networks, so they might have gotten some intel somehow.

ANTIFA knew they were being surveilled and were prepared for it by forming a canopy of umbrellas in order to hide their identities. Everything had to be planned in detail. They know how long a banner they would need to stay behind. They coordinated having certain people deliver the weapons.

Honestly, this puts me on edge a little because although a small group in comparison to the entire protest, they are a large enough group to overwhelm the officers that were on sight. They also have no reservation about hurting the officers, it is clearly their intent. They didn't start protesting and then begin fighting as emotions increased. This was an ambush from the beginning and they started attacking as soon as they were in range of the officers.

Exactly.

If you move from peaceful protest to violence and demanding things, trying to take crap over and establish your own rules....Well that's just pure anarchy and it WILL NOT be tolerated. I'd say the same thing for people in any political spectrum. You can't just do whatever the hell you want without any rules. I don't mean just talking but doing stupid actions.

They need to learn the rule of law and consequences. You can't just do what you want, and they need to learn fast with force, no half assed steps. Screw them!

Better yet, when I see these protesters out there during regular business hours the first question I'm going to ask is, "Why aren't you at your job?" To me a lot of these violent protesters represent a pathetic, lazy, and degenerate portion of certain generations. I don't understand what could possible make these people think that what they're doing is okay.

Yo. Out of town for a few days but fully plan on discussing. There is a lot to digest there, but it DOES actually steer the conversation back to points that tend to get swept under the rug during the arguing. I'll be back.

It's good to see how it is.


Peaceful my ass. Shoot 'em. That will send them home, or even better bring out more of them. Send them home in a bag.


I don't really want that but sometimes you get what you deserve. Just saying. You can't hide behind the 1st Amendment to commit crimes.

So the Bible says an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth ... meaning that the punishment should be commensurable with the crime (unless someone else wants to offer a different interpretation).

Peen - is this hyperbole or do you think these rioters and looters causing property damage deserve death? I've said elsewhere they should (and I believe are) arresting and prosecuting people which I am all for. Shooting them? Rounding up random people 'just coz' .... not so much.