It seems a bit silly. Reporters, some of them quite well read and intelligent, are critical of the New York City Republican National Convention protests because they lack a certain unity and clarity of purpose. Some writers are kinder, recognizing that the protesters “don’t know how else to say what they have to say”, but they still fail to get at the heart of things.
Why should the convention protests be well scripted and coherent? Is the objection that they pale in comparison to the hundred million dollar ‘coronations’ of both parties? Pity the poor protester that must justify his cause to the press in dollars and slick presentations - clearly the Swift Boat Veterans Using Republican Dollars were on to something.
There has been a “war on dissent.” Law enforcement and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg have infiltrated, intimidated and denied venues to peaceful protest groups.
For those reporters wading through a crowd of 500,000 in New York City noticing a lack of coherence, recognize the adversity and report the coherence that others have found in the people, in their unity against Bush policies. Report the people’s issues - they’re real. Half a million people coming together under adverse circumstances including intimidation and risk of imprisonment is very real. So is the fact that it has been largely peaceful so far - that’s a lot of people packed in there. Write about that - it matters.
Reporters have taken a lot of time to explore whether John Kerry was or was not in Cambodia on a certain day 35 years ago. Is it too much to ask that they address real issues? That they seriously look at where Bush’s policies have taken us? Is it too much to ask that they look at people dying today in Iraq, or those tortured and wasting away in American run prisons without charge, or those out of work, or those without healthcare, or those who cannot afford college, or any of the multitude of real American problems we have today? And when they look at them, maybe they can start to appreciate a protester that takes the time and effort to say “no” to Bush’s policies. Maybe they can appreciate a half-million of them. Maybe that’s the story. Despite it all, despite inhospitable conditions, despite the personal risks, despite the economic costs to travel to and briefly live in New York City, these people are out protesting the Bush Administration. I take my hat off to them. They are addressing their representatives in the true spirit of democracy, and helping confirm that we still live in one. Honor them with press coverage that’s more, and better than a joke.
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