Thank you both for the concern. While I was down, I couldn't help but wonder if someone was going to compare and contrast those violent Tea Party mobs with the peaceful, dumpster flinging G-20 protesters....oops, not in this forum.
As soon as those guys start dictating the stances of Democratic Party national leaders, we can make that comparison. I have yet to hear a Congressman or Senator come out in favor of busting up storefronts. I have heard some come out in support of the idea that Obama is not a natural born citizen of the US. I have heard soem come out and reflect the ignorance and fear on display at the tea parties.
Sorry, rimrocker, the irony demonstrated in the way the media covers the two events is just too rich. As you know, I'm not a "birther" -- heck, not even Ann Coulter believes that -- and I'm not a proponent of inappropriate signs. However, I just thought it was oddly funny how the Tea Party protesters are a "mob" (who aren't police confrontational) but the G-20 protesters have every right to use any means necessary to show their opposition.
As rimrocker already stated - one of them has been propogated by a large media campaign including speeches and actions from actual politicians (and a dingbat from alaska). The other has none of those things - any media exposure is almost always negative and includes little to no coverage of the concerns or ideologies therein. Moreoever, there is no aura of plausibility assoicated with any of the "beliefs" should they be, on the odd rare occasion, discussed. Which is, of course, totally acceptable. One is a small lunatic fringe. The other is a moderately large lunatic fringe with political and media exposure. One is full of ****. The other is also full of ****, but for some reason still gets taken seriously.
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/g20/21085661/detail.html Rockers, Politicians, Unions Rally For Clean Energy At Point Joan Jett, Big Head Todd At Jobs Tour Finale In Pittsburgh POSTED: 1:07 pm EDT September 23, 2009 UPDATED: 4:18 am EDT September 24, 2009 PITTSBURGH (ABC) -- Despite some downtown streets being closed, a rally for clean energy jobs attracted a few thousand people to Pittsburgh's Point State Park on the eve of the G-20 economic summit. Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers and Kathy Mattea were among the acts playing the "Clean Energy Jobs Now" event downtown. "We're trying to send a message with this event. Obviously the leaders of the world, the G-20 countries, are coming to Pittsburgh tomorrow. Energy and climate are on the agenda for that meeting," said Alan Meyer, of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Slideshow:Rockers, Politicians, Unions Rally For Clean Energy At Point Members of the United Steelworkers and other unions were in attendance, and speeches were given by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Gov. Ed Rendell. "Just think for a minute if every person in the world, every business in the world, every manufacturer in the world, every building in the world reduced energy consumption by 4 percent," said Rendell. The message of the rally is that Pennsylvania government can create as many as 70,000 jobs by creating policy to support more green industry. Small organization hoping to get their points across could be seen throughout the day with signs reading "Our climate is not your busine$$" could be seen. One group was advertising a "SurvivaBall," a protective device they say the world's inhabitants will be forced to live in. "I'll be wearing it pretty much for the rest of my life and the rest of eternity once climate change gets worse. It looks like that could be within the next 5 to 10 years. We're already seeing all the impacts of climate change," said one protestor. It's the final stop of the "Made in America" jobs tour that has visited 22 states, sponsored by the Alliance for Climate Protection, the United Steelworkers and the Blue Green Alliance. "A recent report by the Blue Green Alliance showed that Pennsylvania stands to gain more than 42,000 manufacturing jobs in wind, solar, geothermal and biomass by instituting a renewable electricity standard," said a news release for the event from Repower America. President Barack Obama and other world leaders will travel to Pittsburgh for the G-20, scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Related Link: Understanding The G-20 What Is The G-20? G-20 -- the Group of 20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors -- was established in 1999 "to bring together systemically important industrialized and developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy," according to its Web site, G20.org. Countries from all over the world -- including the U.S., Canada, China, France, Germany, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Russia -- are involved in the G-20 summit. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images The gathering typically attracts a variety of protestors from around the world. In April, London saw mostly peaceful protests about economic policy, the banking system and bankers' bonuses, climate change concerns and the war on terror. Photo Slideshow: World Leaders, Protests At G-20 Summit During the last G-20, a peaceful protest dubbed "Financial Fools' Day" was held April 1 by the Pittsburgh Organizing Group, a local anarchist group. Members and supporters gathered in Market Square before marching around downtown, stopping at several banks and government offices.
These are your "greenies." Check out the last paragraph for example. They are "peaceful" protesters with a few "rockers" (not only musicians, but literal ones ). You're a smart guy. Do you not see the contrast in the way Tea Parties are covered versus the way "greenies" are covered?
I have a friend that works in a government facility that has been protested before (because, according to protesters, they are making "death robots") in Pittsburgh during the G-20, and he said this year was very tame compared to normal. For example, he said this year had no feces throwing or urine in supersoakers (that he's heard of). This year, he also saw a larger amount of riot police, too. That's probably why you're not saying the harsh coverage here as you would typically of the G-20 protesters. Try looking for some comparative articles for the last few years when they were a bit more rowdy.
howlong has the problems of the teabaggers existed? and howlong has the teabaggers started protesting?
First, they're not my "greenies". Second, the green movement is quite distinct from the wannabe anarchist morons more popularly associated with G20 protests. Thirdly, the aforementioned wannabe anarchists are covered quite appropriately in the media. If you don't want to be affiliated with the wingnuts hosting hitler signs, perhaps you should think about finding some different rallies to attend. Maybe you could start a new "movement" and call it the "coffee filter" party.
The Anarchists get plenty of coverage. During the 2008 RNC the majority of the coverage of the protest focussed around the actions of some Anarchists, including actions that took place after the main protests and was never part of the main protests.
