Friday, March 29, 2024
Miles from the Mainstream
D. R. ZUKERMAN, proprietor
Suggestions for the Republicans

APRIL 13, 2004 --

An article in The New York Times, recently, reported that some Republicans are having second thoughts about holding their convention in New York City. It is to be expected that left-flingers (not a typo) will protest the GOP and its presidential ticket. As previously noted by LPR, a New York City councilman, addressing the United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) March 20 anti-Bush march, vigorously denounced the Republican gathering. This just might reflect a form of political intolerance.

UFPJ has openly (by e-mail) announced plans for a "Spring Offensive" leading "towards large protests at the Democratic Convention in Boston this July and at the Republican National Convention in New York City on August 29th." Promising "[c]reative and colorful protests" at the Democratic and Republican conventions, UFPJ added, "Our actions … especially in NYC at the RNC -- have the potential to make a big impact on public opinion during this important election year."

It is to be expected that however "creative and colorful" the UFPJ demonstration will be, it will also be the occasion of well, political hate speech. It would seem the

best way to respond to UFPJ would be to let them rant on and trust in the good sense of the American people to see the UFPJ demonstrators for the politically intolerant people that they likely are. A heavy-handed response to UFPJ will give the demonstrators the excuse to claim they are the victims of the mean-spirited, militarists, racists, sexists, homophobes, despoilers of the environment, among other demagogic findings. The UFPJ organizers likely have visions of Chicago 1968 as they prepare for Madison Square Garden 2004. Republicans should encourage New York City to take a low-key approach to the anti-GOP demonstrations. Indeed, Republicans would be wise to consider that a massive, militaristic-looking police response to the demonstrations would delight liberals' eyes, prompting an outburst of left-flinging demagoguery.

Republicans might, instead, go out among the demonstrators, and surveying the "creative and colorful" posters, inquire: "Where are the signs protesting the terrorists who attack our country?" Likely, such anti-terrorism messages will be very few, it at all, among the UFPJ, which, taking to the streets, seems, simply, United for Power Jousting.