BS: Democracy Spring

Subject: BS:" Democracy Spring"
From: akenaton
Date: 12 Apr 16 - 12:33 PM

Hundreds of demonstrators being arrested in Washington over the undemocratic "Two Party" system and the corporate media are ignoring it.

Why no comments? I would be interested in US members views.

Subject: RE: BS: Democracy Spring
From: Stringsinger
Date: 12 Apr 16 - 01:23 PM

The media is part of the arresting group. They have a vested interest in keeping the status quo for the wealthy to own the country, plutocrats and war industrialists included in the mix. Our tax dollars are going to finance the off-shore accounts of leading corporate tax-dodgers. The media makes more money off of phony news items such as what's going on with Donald Trump. We are seeing an increasing schism here in the States between activists and defenders of the corporatocracy.

Subject: RE: BS: Democracy Spring
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Apr 16 - 04:57 PM

Re: the Boston Globe, this might be a valid point.

Two days ago the Globe literally put a "9 April 2017" story in its editorial section, complete with headlines about President Trump starting the deportations.

Today, when I check the Globe's website, I find ZILCH about Democracy Spring.

This certainly supports the opening post.

Subject: RE: BS: Democracy Spring
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Apr 16 - 05:15 PM

It was well reported here. (in the DC suburbs). Demonstrators were trying to make a point, (without a permit) and the authorities were 'keeping order' and clearing the area.

The general issue changes, but the game remains much the same.... as always.

Subject: RE: BS: Democracy Spring
From: akenaton
Date: 12 Apr 16 - 05:48 PM

Why are they asking for "one person one vote" Bill?

I did hear one saying that Mr sanders was being unfairly treated by the media....is this true?

Subject: RE: BS: Democracy Spring
From: akenaton
Date: 12 Apr 16 - 06:14 PM

Completely agree with your post Stringsinger. I'm glad to see you back contributing.

Subject: RE: BS: Democracy Spring
From: Greg F.
Date: 12 Apr 16 - 08:56 PM

Why are they asking for "one person one vote" Bill?

More iognorance on your part, Ake. Do look up Republican voter suppression activities of the last 25 years.

Subject: RE: BS: Democracy Spring
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Apr 16 - 07:29 AM

There doesn't seem to be a huge amount about it in the "legitimate press," but there is some.

The Democracy Now Website tells the story, as does NPR. NBC News had something, as did C-Span.

I suppose one could wish for more coverage, but demonstrations happen in Washington every day.

Seems to me that Sanders is getting excellent press coverage, but my experience is mostly from the Sacramento Bee and NPR and Time. Trump gets huge amounts of press, but I don't think it's favorable. Can't say they're favorable to Cruz, either.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Democracy Spring
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Apr 16 - 09:22 AM

The police officers at federal buildings in the U.S. are specially trained on how to handle demonstrations. They are almost annoyingly polite, and they sometimes become quite friendly with regular demonstrators and get to know demonstrators by name. They draw a line people aren't supposed to cross, and then the people cross the line and are very gently taken into custody. As a result, getting arrested in a demonstration is no big deal, and so there's not much that's newsworthy in many demonstrations.

The "occupy" movement was quite successful in getting news coverage a few years ago, but it takes real creativity to put on a demonstration that will get good news coverage. We did pretty well with an immigration rights march where we had people walk the 276 miles from Sacramento to Bakersfield in California. The Catholic "Nuns on the Bus" social justice campaign has gone well for four summers. The U.S. Catholic bishops have had a "Fortnight for Freedom" campaign that was a colossal failure - they were trying to avoid paying for birth control benefits for employees. They (and later the Pope) were far more effective when they celebrated Mass at the Mexican border to promote immigrant rights.

The "Arab Spring" did well, didn't it?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Democracy Spring
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Apr 16 - 09:24 AM

It has reported on UPI and AP, as well as Al Jazeera, the Seattle Post Intelligencer, Salt Lake Tribune, and the Grand Island Independent.

It has been on many TV stations as part of the news feed from ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS.

Demonstrations are a regular thing in DC; people learn to live with them. I think the 40,000 Verizon (telephone) workers who are out on strike will be a bigger story right now.