QUOTE (22_Shooter @ Nov 11 2008, 05:07 AM)

It sounds like your hinting toward that I support the .gov protecting us "for our own good". I can assure you, that's not the case.
This is how I look at it; let's say this guy was your friend. Wouldn't you rather the police remove his obviously drunk ass from the situation, as opposed to letting him go on his way in that crowd? I can't count how many times I've pulled drunk friends from situations that they were in, that they wouldn't be in, if they weren't drunk.
I didn't notice that he was drunk, my fault. Arresting him for a real offense is fine. Yes, if a drunk friend was doing the same thing, I would have pulled him out of the crowd. Only because he was drunk, not because he was wearing a McCain shirt.
QUOTE (22_Shooter @ Nov 11 2008, 05:07 AM)

There's no way in hell a couple cops would be able to watch over 1 guy in a crowd of who-knows-how-many. They shouldn't have to, either. Even if they did watch over him, X amount of crazed Obamanauts, freshly buzzed from the "victory" would easily get mass amounts of damage done, before a cop even gets to the guy.
That's fine, I can't argue that point, the guy was drunk and not listening to the cops. Otherwise, let him stay.
QUOTE (22_Shooter @ Nov 11 2008, 05:07 AM)

As for the last part of your post, talking of blaming those who would have committed the violence, and not the guy.....I'm not sure where you picked up that I thought otherwise.
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one, friend.
It was my understanding that you were blaming a sober guy for exercising his 1A rights and being arrested. I now understand that he was drunk and uncooperative, sorry for the misunderstanding.
QUOTE (G O B @ Nov 11 2008, 08:51 AM)

Allowing a drunken person to incite a riot? Turn it around, would you want to have a drunken Obamma supporter crash a McCaine victory rally?
Yeah, I missed the drunk and uncooperative part the first time I read it. Aside from that, I have no problems with his actions. An Obama supporter should be able to come to a McCain rally and speak his mind without being assaulted as long as he is respectful/peaceful. I'm not a McCain supporter, so the candidate makes no difference to me.
QUOTE (G O B @ Nov 11 2008, 08:51 AM)

We had a incident in DC years ago, where several Dallas fans went to a bar in Georgetown to watch a Redskins Dallas game. They ended up in the hospital, and sued both the bar and the Redskins fans that kicked their asses. The Judge ruled for the bar and the Redskins fans. He quite properly put the gillt on Dallas fans for inciting to riot, and held THEM guilty and responsible for paying all damages. The decision was based on the fact that any REASONABLE person would have known that their action (cheering for the opposing team in a hometown bar during a hotly contested game) would result in the violent response of those assembled in that place to cheer for their team. The Dallas fans contention that it was a public place and that they had a right to free speach was held to be moot, as their actions were akin to yelling FIRE in a crowed theatre.
PICK YOUR FIGHTS CAREFULLY. Loosing frivilous arguments erodes your veracity.
That was an ignorant ruling, IMO. As long as they were not picking fights and were only rooting for their team, it is not their fault if they get beat up. There is this little thing called civility that many seem to be lacking. Any REASONABLE person would have known that their action (cheering for the opposing team in a hometown bar during a hotly contested game) would result in those assembled in that place to cheer for the other team team to give them a hard time. Possibly some lighthearted jokes, maybe a few menacing looks or insults but certainly not assault. It's a game, not a war and people should be mature enough to allow others to cheer for the opposing team without acting like neanderthals or they should stay at home, in their mom's basement.
I couldn't care less about what others think of my opinion, I'm not one to sit down and shut-up if I disagree. In this case, I misread the article and those who think less of me as a result can kiss my ass.