Why are they putting riot police at *'s events rather than regular police?

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

I don't get this. This article says that the cities are starting to send the Republicans bills for their riot police expenses at Bush's fundraisers. Where I live there have been just regular police in regular uniforms at protests for Bush or anti-war protests. They know there will be no violence.

This article also claims that once there is a Democratic nominee, the cities will have to spend the same for security when he appears at events. What do they have to base this on? Has there been violence at any of these political events? I have only heard of some Republicans getting in people's faces and maybe tearing a sign out their hands or something like that.

Here is a photo and caption from the article. Why are they making a show of force instead of treating peaceful dissenters with the respect they deserve?



Cities across the United States face mounting bills for security at political campaign events on their turf, and some mayors are beginning to say they just cannot afford it. Riot police are shown at the University of Portland where President Bush (news - web sites) appeared at a fundraising event, August 21. Portland has sent a $116,000 invoice to the Bush-Cheney reelection campaign for the cost of police overtime pay needed to secure the fund-raising event that raised $1.0 million. (Steve Dipaola/Reuters)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/economy_usa_security_dc

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Bush is turned on by quasi-military uniforms

anyone with real knowledge of psychology or psychiatry, feel free to pull this apart, but I think it's probably true, given the aircraft carrier crap.

[rfranklin]

2. Right wing mentality---overkill every time except...

when it matters. Like 9/11. And the cops can't wait to get all dressed up in their riot gear--it's like getting a GI Joe outfit for Christmas. As a child of the Sixties, I remember that when we didn't provide them with enough to justify a clubbing, they would send recruits from the police academy to infiltrate protest groups and encourage us to be violent, sometimes even committing the violence themselves.

[TNOE]

3. Heard an ad on radio last night on way home from work

that the CIA is looking for "military" agents - seminar to be held at local college - ages 19 through 36 apply. I thought THIS CAN'T BE GOOD.....

[LeahMira]

5. So, go...

the CIA is looking for "military" agents - seminar to be held at local college

... stand outside and take pictures.

[PaDUer]

4. He's telling you that...

I'm untouchable and that your own will do as I order and screw you.

[Iverson]

6. to suppress dissent

And who cares if a bunch of lefties get gassed and beaten anyway?