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[MetalSlimeHunt]

EDIT: Apparently the Canadian government (not Quebec's) has been trying to pass an "Omnibus bill" with all kind of dirty things: rise of the retirement age, destruction of a lot of environmental protections, huge change in most area of government (which may not be a bad thing per se but should be discussed in Parliament and not passed in a budget bill. I'm expecting more protests.

It's.....it's like they want to be ousted.

[Johnfalcon99977]

EDIT: Apparently the Canadian government (not Quebec's) has been trying to pass an "Omnibus bill" with all kind of dirty things: rise of the retirement age, destruction of a lot of environmental protections, huge change in most area of government (which may not be a bad thing per se but should be discussed in Parliament and not passed in a budget bill. I'm expecting more protests.

Is the Canadian verison of SOPA and ACTA? Quebec passes a completely insane and absurd law to get everyone crazy over that, and then pass another very dirty and horrible bill which doesn't actually violate Rights while everyone is crazy over the other bill?

Its a clever idea Canada, but the problem is that its already been done and was a complete failure.

[ibot66]

What the hell? Why would anyone do this?
Just... Why? Do these people honestly think that this benefits them, because they are just screwing them selves over, too.

[Scelly9]

The government or the protesters?

[ibot66]

The government or the protesters?

Oh, the government.

[SalmonGod]

Umm... America's been this way for a long time.  At major events, protesters are usually confined to "Free Speech Zones".  If protesters want to move around at all, it has to be along a pre-approved route, and they typically deny any route that goes near anything important.  There's all kinds of other paperwork and permits required as well.  Most of the protest going on in the states this past year is of a kind that can be labelled illegal and treated as such in a heartbeat, whenever authorities wish.  It's just not possible for them to go around arresting everybody and they know that doing so just makes things worse anyway, so they mostly resort to intimidation tactics.  They make as big a show as possible of arresting groups of people, target important organizers, confiscate equipment, and if none of that works they shoo the media away as much as possible before going in and violently dispersing everyone.

Yes, it's true that protest is a cornerstone of democracy, and a good democratic government restricts protest rights as little as possible.  However, we do kind of need to accept that protest is literally conflict with authority.  If it isn't disruptive and if authority does not respond with intimidation, then... what do you think you're accomplishing?  Might as well sit down for tea with your enemies and throw in a casual remark during polite conversation about how you're kinda concerned about their behavior.  Those in power need to feel threatened.  They need to KNOW... well... basically this.  I just can't say it any better than this.  You can't just threaten with words.  You need to demonstrate exactly THIS.  If the public cannot at least fake preparedness for that level of opposition, then the powers that be can really do whatever the fuck they please.

Edit:

This is... the absolute most amazingly stupid thing I have ever seen anyone in power do.

Actually, this beats it for me.  Maybe not stupid, but...

[Scelly9]

The government or the protesters?

Oh, the government.

Ah, good, I was about to start facepalming.

[Sheb]

Actually, this beats it for me.  Maybe not stupid, but...

That's not stupid, it's actually pretty smart (because it works, this is the first time I've heard about it), and downright evil. Saying every male of military age is an enemy combatant is actually pretty close to justifying genocide.

[lordcooper]

Is this (salon.com) actually a credible news source though?

[Sheb]

Yup, AFAIK they're to the New Yorker what the Huffington Post is to the NYTimes.

[Korbac]

Come to Wales, the government pay you £30 a week to go to college.

When you get past the fact that the only place worth visiting is Cardiff, it's a really nice country! 

[Zrk2]

Come to Wales, the government pay you £30 a week to go to college.

Why the fuck am I not invited?

[Geen]

If you're gonna be tyrant, at least do it well. The Canadian government needs to read some Discworld.