LETTER OF THE DAY
Next time maybe a convention will do something significant What can one say about today's presidential "nominating" conventions except that they're a waste of money, and an exercise in futility? The candidates had been selected through an unendurably long and costly televised campaign; and each in turn, selected his own vice-presidential candidate. What exactly do the delegates do, other than adopt a bunch of resolutions which shall soon be forgotten and then go out and get drunk?
Delegates to either convention, in order to live up to their responsibilities, ought to have discarded all posturing candidates in favor of someone more qualified, as did the Democrats in 1945 when they tossed out Vice President Henry Wallace in favor of Harry Truman. Furthermore, this year each major candidate concluded his acceptance speech with the phrase "God bless America!" Ho ho -- try commanding your wife or kids to do something in that manner and see what happens.
What a far cry from Abraham Lincoln, who made no acceptance speech and often prayed that the Union was on God's side.
TED TENDICK, HAYFIELD, MINN.
ATMOSPHERE AT THE RNC
Many see intimidation, others appreciate safety
"Securitization" of major political events is sign of the times, according to the Star Tribune's Sept. 6 report.
Securitization is an interesting term. It is used in the context of "massive show of force" and "aggressive riot police." Would the synonym be intimidation?
KELLY FINNERTY, EDINA
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I demonstrated in the Labor Day march and again on Thursday at Rice Park inside a cylindrical fence that I called a Free Speech Pen. This ironic commentary on the diminishment of our First Amendment rights during the Bush/Cheney years met with amused recognition by the majority of passersby and fellow marchers. However, there is nothing at all funny about the way this drift away from a free and open society was manifested during Republican National Convention week.
The intimidation tactics and the garrison state fortifications around the Xcel center were dismaying enough in themselves. But the flagrantly illegal police actions in raiding south Minneapolis homes of protest organizers without warrants and the arrest of Democracy Now's Amy Goodman at the convention go way beyond any reasonable need to prevent violent demonstrations. I have no doubt that these repressive decisions were choreographed by higher authorities, but I nonetheless feel betrayed by our local law enforcement agencies.
STEVE ANTHONY, MINNEAPOLIS
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How can news reporters agree with local authorities that the "show of force was purposeful and appropriate" on anti-war protesters near the RNC, who were nonviolent and civil disobedient? Not long ago, nonviolent, civil disobedient protesters were not tear-gassed by the police if they refused to move, but were just picked up and carted away.
Nonviolent civil disobedience is what Martin Luther King Jr. taught us and still is a useful and heartfelt response, for many very truly outraged and caring citizens.
These police and other security forces appeared to go even beyond their orders and kept tear-gassing some protesters over and over. The tear gassing of a nonviolent citizen even once, I feel is unlawful and probably unconstitutional. I believe the security forces were led by someone or organization other than our local police. An investigation of this terror-like behavior is definitely in order and should be done by an outside group.
GARY THOMPSON, ST. PAUL
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I am puzzled at the claims that the police had no right to arrest some of the protesters at the RNC in St. Paul. I work downtown, at the First National Bank building, and some of our windows were busted by anarchists on Labor Day, when they splintered off from the mostly peaceful antiwar march of 10,000 -- which I participated in -- from the State Capitol to the Xcel Center. This is likely a reason why on Thursday we were sent home early.
While I may be a member of the ACLU, I also know that we do still need law enforcement, and those who were arrested were warned that they would be arrested if they refused to leave. I felt safer when I knew there was plenty of police protection during the convention. One should feel safe when trying to get to and from work.
L.E. LARUE, ST. PAUL
The national impression
Minneapolis-St. Paul, thank you so very much for your gracious hospitality during the 2008 Republican National Convention. I was truly thrilled to visit the beautiful historical Lafayette Club on Lake Minnetonka, the Walker Art Museum and the Mall of America. Xcel Energy Center's volunteers welcomed our delegation with open arms! Words of kindness greeted me daily as I walked into the massive building. A warm thank you!
CAROLE WADE, NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF.
RNC '08 Report note: Non-relevant letters redacted.
Letters to the editor for Tuesday, Sept. 9 |