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t_wolves_fan
2nd February 2005, 16:44
At exactly the same moment in time, there are two men who wish to protest their government.

One is standing on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House; the other is standing in front of Fidel Castro's residence in Havanah.

The man on Pennsylvania Avenue has a sign depicting President George W. Bush as Hitler and it says "Fuck Bush".

The man in Havanah has a sign that says "Fuck Castro".

The man on Pennsylvania Avenue is chanting, "Down with Bush."

The man in Havanah is chanting, "Down with Castro."


Which man, in your opinion, is more likely to be arrested and charged with a crime?
Commie Girl
2nd February 2005, 16:48
Originally posted by [email protected] 2 2005, 10:44 AM
At exactly the same moment in time, there are two men who wish to protest their government.

One is standing on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House; the other is standing in front of Fidel Castro's residence in Havanah.

The man on Pennsylvania Avenue has a sign depicting President George W. Bush as Hitler and it says "Fuck Bush".

The man in Havanah has a sign that says "Fuck Castro".

The man on Pennsylvania Avenue is chanting, "Down with Bush."

The man in Havanah is chanting, "Down with Castro."


Which man, in your opinion, is more likely to be arrested and charged with a crime?
:D Obviously, the man on Pennsylvania Ave!
t_wolves_fan
2nd February 2005, 16:58
:D Obviously, the man on Pennsylvania Ave!

Yeah? Cuz I see that man every day and he doesn't appear to have been arrested yet. Nor is there a report from Human Rights Watch on anyone on Pennsylvania Avenue being arrested for "Disrespecting the President".

So, are you sure about your answer?
The Garbage Disposal Unit
2nd February 2005, 17:16
It is more likely the man in Cuba will be charged.

Mind you, it is a reflection of a specific set of conditions. The wo/man (or even child) in Iraq with a sign that says "Fuck Bush!" will probably get gunned down, immediately.

Nation States inevitably bring out the teeth when they feel threatened. Even at home in the United States, when some steps meaningfully out of line, they learn fun lessons about the nature of the state. This is true across coercive heirarchical organizations in general (Varying, of course, according to their ability to exert force, and the urgency of their situation).