Pete Houting's Blog

Can't miss the riots in the news. From Egypt to Wisconsin, angry protestors have taken to the streets to seek redress. Big difference, here we don't shoot them---yet. Usually, authority won't respond with violence until the protestors get violent and destructive-- or really, really stubborn.  Yell a lot, chant, wave signs, you're pretty OK, but start throwing stuff, and swinging sticks, watch out. In the U.S. we generally organize protests to minimize physical friction with the man. Overseas, the crowds are much less disciplined, much more emotional, and much more likely to over react to the moment. Gives the man a good opening for moving in, breaking heads, and cleaning up.  Egypt was unusual in that the soldiers in most cases refused to fire. When you can't control the force factors, you may as well leave.

I'd like to see a more positive response to the protestors from our government. When freedom starts to smolder, we need to help fan the flame, far beyond giving lukewarm acknowledgement. What do you think?  Respond here, or at my web site:  http://www.PeteHouting.com