[pradocchia]

The game where protestors deliberately work as hard as they possibly can in order to provoke a police response, and then whine about the police response. This is a game the police can't possibly win, and the protestors know it; that's why they play it.

The protesters should adopt this tactic widely: sit on the ground, link arms, and force the hand of the police: "pepper spray me, I dare you". The police are entitled, indeed obligated to arrest them, after all.

[hugh3]

The protesters should adopt this tactic widely: sit on the ground, link arms, and force the hand of the police: "pepper spray me, I dare you". The police are entitled, indeed obligated to arrest them, after all.

First off, "obligated" isn't a word. The word is "obliged".

Secondly, what do you mean "they should"? They already do. It's the number one move in the left-wing activist's playbook -- provoke the police until they use force, and then go play the victim card to the media.

Blame for the widespread nature of this tactic belongs partly with the protestors, and partly with the media who go along with it. Sensible people should reject this game, because it just makes life worse for everybody.

You got pepper-sprayed? Diddums, mate, that's exactly what you wanted to happen.

The Tea Party proved that you can have a mass protest movement that doesn't get in the way of others, and doesn't break the law. Unfortunately it also proved that a nonviolent protest needs to be ten times larger than a violent protest in order to get the same amount of media attention.

[nkurz]

First off, "obligated" isn't a word. The word is "obliged".

Hugh --

I frequently agree with what you have to say, but have trouble with the way that you are saying it. I worry that your rhetoric gets in the way of your point. I love that you are offering a refreshing opinion, but it would be great if you could do it in a less offensive manner.

To wit, saying "First off X isn't a word" is offensive and impolite even if you are right. There are many non-English speakers in this forum, and being pedantic where the meaning is clear is counter-productive. In this case it's even worse, because you are pedantic and wrong. This makes it hard for me (and presumably others) to consider the point you are making without prejudice. I think I actually I agree with what you are saying, but now I have to worry that others will tar me with the same brush.

Here's Merriam-Webster's dictionary on the distinction between "oblige" and "obligate": http://books.google.com/books?id=2yJusP0vrdgC&pg=PA675

[davej]

I'm not sure if this is a troll or not but I'll bite.

> First off, "obligated" isn't a word. The word is "obliged".

First off, "obligated" is a word; look it up.

> Secondly, what do you mean "they should"?

Did you really completely miss pradocchia's sarcasm? Really?

> …provoke the police until they use force…

I didn't realise that silently sitting down and staying still was considered a method of provocation.