Demonstrators at Air and Space Museum get some seasoning

[Hardshell Clam]

Eclipse getting on my case, how unusual. OK, so be it so here you go: 

I've been looking into "illegal behavior" all my adult live as a full time LEO and after 30 plus years, I have a good working knowledge of what is illegal and what is legal. I am a LEO veteran of various protests from the the 70s right up to "The Battle in Seattle".

These protesters have that absolute constitutional right to be heard and even be total jerks, and I will defend their rights to do so ... However, then they must then accept the consequences of their actions when illegal.

[Eclipse]

What's your point?  You agreed with me, and further, I'm not "on your case"...

[ol'fido]

Somebody need to buy them a new calender. Theirs still says 1968.

I once read that "student protestors" were just trying to share the knowledge and benefits of their INEXPERIENCE with the rest of us.

[RRLE]

I say it's time to bring back the military draft in this country and lets see how many ...

Soccer Moms take to the streets so their kids don't get sent off to war. If you bring back the draft, then the street scenes of 1968-1972 will look tame by comparison. The main reason the peace movement cannot get off the ground is that no one's kid is in danger of being drafted and sent off to war. The warriors are all volunteers. Try sending little Billy Bob and maybe in this day Betty Sue off to war and the Soccer Moms and college kids will fill the streets. And the Pentagon knows that, which is why the Pentagon doesn't want a draft.

[Cliff_Chambliss]

As I watch all this unfolding I can't help but think of how much life is imitating art.  How many of us remember the 'Pogo' cartoons of the 1950's and 1960's?  Remember the cartoons portrayal of the 1960's college demonstrators?  Students Wildly Indignant about Nearly Everything S.W.I.N.E. 

[jks19714]

Somehow I have some memories of some SWINE in those days trying to keep me away from work one morning at the Washington Navy Yard. 

It didn't work. 

(an old member of the Military-Industrial Complex, and proud of it)

john

[RiverAux]

Hmmm, I wonder if in the bowels of CAPTalk there is a thread talking about the crazy outfits worn by the Tea party folks at their demonstrations in recent years?

[JC004]

I'm sitting in Alexandria, Virginia right now. I'm sure glad we hadn't planned to visit the NASM during this trip, or I'd be one of those pissed off people.

Why didn't you tell me this?

[RiverAux]

Apparently one of the guys at the heart of the pepper spray part of this event was an editor of a prominent conservative magazine who admitted he went to it in order to provoke trouble. 

http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2011/10/protests

[JC004]

SARDragon: clock, please. 

You've all been warned.

When you build a museum on a public space that has been used for demonstrations for well over 50 years (maybe more as far as I know), you're going to have some interruptions of service.

Not especially.  Protests are a normal part of DC.  The main thing that gets stretched is bathroom availability and in huge protests, Metro.  SI is open all except one day per year.  There's very little disruption for all that goes on.

[mjbernier]

I guess I missed the point, but why protest at the Air & Space Museum? Other than the technological history held within its walls, it has no connection with the boots on the ground or the aircraft in the skies overseas. I would think the more appropriate places for protesting would be the Capitol steps or the pedestrian area in front of the White House... or is it because those places are "old hat" and they wanted to try something different?

Mike

[RiverAux]

There was a display of drones used in the wars there.

[Major Lord]

As I recall, the demonstrators were not denied admission to the museum, they were only prevented from bringing in their signs. The museum is free to set rules. Shirt and shoes required, no  beverages, no flash photography, etc. These rules are to protect the invaluable treasures of the museum. There is little doubt that the protesters rambunctious behavior was intended to overwhelm the minimal security of the museum, and as has happened in all the locations where the protestors met, there was property damage and vandalism. (Not to mention people taking improvised showers using the bathroom sinks) Personally, turning these America hating pseudomarxists loose in the Smithsonian would be a major mistake, let alone allowing them to bring in their weapons ( sign sticks-ever get hit with one? I have) spray paint, etc. Free speech is fine, as long as it does not prevent the citizenry from the quiet enjoyment of their own rights. These people practice and advocate violence, and they not only expect to be arrested, its part of their game plan. Game on, says I! Oh yes, the reason they don't protest in front of the White House is that they don't really like being sprayed, TASED, and cuffed.....and I don't blame them a bit for that.

Major Lord

[RiverAux]

You did see the link about how the "break in" was at least partially instigated by a conservative that admitted he was there to cause problems?