I Just Got Off The Phone With Capitol Police*****

[MagickMuffin]

I have been calling concerning the Capitol Building being spray painted on Saturday. Since this article ran in The Hill and was written by Jackie Kucinich, but published with no pics, I decided to try and confirm the story.

I first called Dennis Kucinich's office, they had not heard anything.
I called Henry Waxman's office, again they had not heard anything.
I called Maxine Water's office, I was told if it was reported in The Hill then it was probably true.
Last call I made was to John Conyers office, they hadn't heard anything and redirected the call to the Capitol Police.
The operator told me the story is NOT TRUE.

As the last call, I talked with JK, she said the story is true and she was waiting on pics. She cut me off from further questions, (deadlines ya know!):eyes:

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/012507/protesters.html

Any fellow DUers who live in DC and want to confirm this for us with pics?

[ShortnFiery]

1. OMG, they may have to "set up a scene" and take bogus pics because

us damn chattering classes are asking for proof before we BELIEVE their blather. :P

[dysfunctional press]

2. p-h-o-t-o-s-h-o-p....

no need to set a scene and take bogus pics.

[BayCityProgressive]

4. I was there and saw nothing of the sort.

[ShortnFiery]

14. Oh so true! Ain't technology wonderful? LOL n/t

[NoSheep]

56. faux-to-shop.

[MagickMuffin]

13. I have a BIG PROBLEM with Belief Systems ;-P

ever since my Sunday teacher explained there was no such thing as Santa when I was 5.
Ever since then I don't trust belief systems:evilgrin:

What no Santa-God....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

So, yeah I want proof.

[babylonsister]

3. Per this, "the writing was cleaned off quickly" so you may not

find pics.:eyes:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6379447,00.html

``It is my understanding protesters were allowed to spray-paint the Capitol steps and deface buildings around the area while Capitol Police were instructed to not arrest anyone engaged in these unlawful acts,'' he wrote in a letter to Morse.

Schneider said police used ``measured police crowd control practices'' with the protesters. She said the writing was cleaned off quickly.

[MagickMuffin]

9. Funny how things work

Cleaned up quickly. I've used spray paint and I don't recall it ever cleaning up "quickly" but I guess they have access to powerful scrubbing agents.

I don't have a problem believing this story, I have a problem with unnamed sources who can say ANYTHING and get it reported in an article. Most of this coverage has been RW sites.

Me's think there is something fishy about the CHP just standing by and letting this take place right before their very eyes. Sounds a lot like the 60's with infiltration of FBI into peace activists groups.

The more things change, the more ways to repeat them....

Thanks BabylonSister for the extra article:hi:

[MADem]

19. A few assholes out of tens of thousands -- the police showed restraint. No harm done.

"While there were minor instances of spray painting of pavement by a splinter group of Anarchists who were seeking a confrontation with the police, their attempts to breach into secure areas and rush the doors of the Capitol were thwarted," Morse said. "The graffiti was easily removed by the dedicated staff, some of whom responded on their day off to quickly clean the area."

He added, "It is the USCP's duty and responsibility to protect the Capitol complex, staff and public while allowing the public to exercise their First Amendment rights … at the end of the day, both occurred without injury to protestors or officers."....

There are tons of products that will swiftly remove even the worst graffiti:

http://armorpoxy100.stores.yahoo.net/grre1gal.html

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/armorpoxy100_1934_9183980

GRAFFITI REMOVER 1 GAL


Rated "Best" by Transportation Authority Removes Spray Paints, Enamel & Latex Paints, as well as Crayon, Wax, Gum, Oils, Lipstick, Ink Markers, Adhesives & Scuff Marks. Safe on all Smooth & Porous Surfaces!

Availability: Usually ships the next business day.

73006$139.00

[Ian David]

41. It's POSSIBLE the aleged Anarchists were kind enough to use a water-soluble paint...

that washes off with regular soap (or after a couple days of rain.)

[MADem]

50. If I had to guess, I would imagine a few jerks spraypainted the sidewalk near the steps

And somehow, that got morphed into the 'paint the steps' story. That's just my guess, though, based on the one actual quote in the Hill article that speaks about pavement...

[MADem]

24. The Hill article refers to PAVEMENT, isolated instances, in the quote contained therein.. not STEPS.

It wouldn't surprise me if some assholes did some spraypainting on the PAVEMENT. After all, there were a whole lot of people there...in any large crowd, you are bound to find a couple of dipsticks.

If the ENTIRE crowd were bound and determined to do a little painting....every Federal building in town would have been sprayed pepto-bismol pink.

[stillcool]

27. not really...

Anti-war protesters were allowed to spray paint on part of the west front steps of the United States Capitol building after police were ordered to break their security line by their leadership, two sources told The Hill.

...plus I seem to recall there were 300 involved.

[MADem]

49. I am looking at the quotes, you see--the only quoted comment talks about pavement, not steps.

Anything that talks about the steps is "sources say" stuff.

[stillcool]

52. ah...the response via email..

yeah, that's an interesting piece as well.

[WolverineDG]

71. Spray paint cleans up that easily?

:shrug:

I didn't see anything but a row of cops in front of the Capitol, so how could that have happened?

dg

[MADem]

76. Actually, there's industrial cleaners that do the trick.

But the only attributed quote said that the spray painting was on the pavement, not the steps.

[133724]

106. Can anyone tell me where I can get this "scrubbing agent"

someone taged my pickups rims last week & I need to clean them up?????



Thanks In advance.....

[MADem]

118. I posted a link to one product elsewhere in the thread

But seriously, you might want to call maintenance at your nearest transportation authority (bus line, subway, what have you) and ask them what THEY use. From what I understand, and I am no expert, some solutions work better on metal, others on concrete.

[Pharaoh]

5. Lying bastards!

This has Karl Rove written all over it! :grr:

[MagickMuffin]

17. I bet is FBI

but most of these guys think this is so clever. Trying to set up us liberals to look as enemies of the state.
However, in doing this they are proving to be the enemies, and causing the destruction of our democracy in the process.:eyes:

[glitch]

6. Waiting on pics? Come on. What century are these people living in?

Never mind.

[SoCalDem]

11. They're all out looking for that last remaining PhotoMat

Last heard from in Boise Idaho :)

[MagickMuffin]

20. Exactly,

I was trying to get her to respond to the question about the pics, all I got out of her was she didn't take the pics.
I don't even think she went to the site to view the damage for herself. She just mention the story was true and she spoke with CHP.

If anyone else wants to call her to get her to indulge us with more info that would be swell........

Ask for Jackie Kucinich
202-628-8500 tel | 202-628-8503 fax

[Glimmer of Hope]

7. This morning, the local DC CBS station reiterated this story and quoted the article.

And of course didn't have any footage. That's journalism these days.

[rpgamerd00d]

8. Bogus story.

Checked today - no defacement, nor any trace of defacement, nor any trace of a recent cleaning (the area would be especially clean - its not, typical dirt, grime, bird poop, etc.)


Story is bullshit.

[Arkansas Granny]

10. Maybe that's what we need pictures of. Proof that the steps had

not been recently cleaned would kinda throw cold water on their story.

[MagickMuffin]

25. Thx for reporting in

Again I become suspicious when I read stories like this and just need more confirmation...
Know what I mean?

[havocmom]

73. Aren't there video cams all over? IF there was painting...

the wingers would have film of it and panting to get it on TV!

So much easier just to make crap up.

Thanks for checking and calling bullshit on this. I fear we will all be trying to get truth across to twits with their fingers in their ears about this for eons. We have neighbors who STILL insist the Clintons trashed the WH. :eyes:

[Richard Steele]

109. You betcha there would be PICS if this had happened. It didn't. nm

[havocmom]

115. Yeah, we never saw pics of all that damage the Clinton people supposedly did to the WH either.

It's all sorta like Iraqi WMD - much complained about, never actually seen. Lies are fine with these people. People of the Lie.

[helderheid]

12. THANK YOU! Rec 2

[Hubert Flottz]

15. There wasn't enough protesters in Washington over the week end

according to Tony Snow, to have done anything mean.

[MagickMuffin]

26. Well then, that settles it

if Tony "Yellow" Snow Job says there weren't enough protesters to do anything mean. Then I believe him:eyes:

[peacekitten]

16. Hi.. I'm new here, my second post....

But that sounds a little to fishy for my taste. I don't understand why people have to lie

[CrazyOrangeCat]

18. Welcome to DU!

Yep, there's lots of fishy bizness right now . . . and it ain't Meow Mix.

[peacekitten]

21. Thanks!

More like Meow Trix

[annabanana]

30. Welcome to DU peacekitten..

Love your name. You have lotsa kindred spirits here & in the lounge.

[peacekitten]

35. AWWWWWWW

thank you!! that was so nice

[spiderpig]

112. Yeah - makes me wish I'd thought of it first!

Welcome, Peacekitten!!!
:hi:

[MagickMuffin]

31. 3 Day old Fish at that!

That seems to be about the right number of days. Sat, Sun, Mon. Yep 3 days old. Whewwww

Welcome to DU:hi:

[DianaForRussFeingold]

22. Thank You! Have they no sense of decency ?

:patriot: Show me the evidence! They should Put-up or Shut-up! :hi: :yourock: :kick:

[eppur_se_muova]

23. Wow, thanks for looking into that. Seems *everything* needs to be double-checked.

[MADem]

28. There is VIDEO of the event on YOUTUBE, per this article

http://www.nbc4.com/news/10872421/detail.html

A clip posted on YouTube.com showed protestors defacing the Capitol steps with anarchist symbols and slogans.

One source said police were forced to stand by and watch as protestors posed in front of their graffiti before it was removed.

Monday morning a member of Congress, Rep. Cliff Stearns, took the floor of the House to ask for the speaker's office to "look into it."

In an e-mail response, Morse defended his decision.

"While there were minor instances of spray painting of pavement by a splinter group of Anarchists who were seeking a confrontation with the police, their attempts to breach into secure areas and rush the doors of the Capitol were thwarted."

[Lex]

32. Well, if they can't produce the video and are lying about THAT

then the whole story is LIE.

What bullshit.

They just can't stand it that a peaceful crowd marched in support of peace.

[MADem]

85. There is a link downthread to some rightwing commentator whining about it

IT is a Youtube post. What they show looks like blue koolaid and avocado, spilled and wiped up.

On edit--here ya go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwbudsVNlBU

[stillcool]

34. where's the clip from youtube?

article has no link for it.

[annabanana]

37. I've been doing a search.... can't find it..

You'd think it would have a "anti-war" "spray paint" "DC" "protester" tag on it wouldn't you..

[MADem]

86. It's here. It shows a faded stain, nothing to get all upset over

The search was probably made more difficult by the fact that the idiots from Family Research outfit, a rightwing bunch, misspelled "Capitol" .... http://youtube.com/watch?v=PwbudsVNlBU&feature=RecentlyWatched&page=1&t=t&f=b

Also, the people making trouble by the steps were not "anti-war protesters" they were anarchists.

[rpgamerd00d]

36. Searched YouTube - nada - and I searched WELL.

I'm a programmer, I know how to search a search engine.

[rpgamerd00d]

39. I FOUND IT!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAS455cEoho

:rofl:

Not.

[seabeyond]

42. i am so embarrassed for the dude dancing. if i were a cop i would

be busting up. actually i think one did

[stillcool]

43. that was great...

and probably about as close as it can get.:toast:

[librechik]

45. hmm--a distinct absence of spray painting

and how in the world could they even get to the steps with th cops crawling all over it and the barriers?

Jackie Kucinich--you've been punk'd!

[MagickMuffin]

40. Here's a Youtube Video

however, I don't know if this is the same one referred to in the article you linked too, since they didn't supply a link to Youtube.
In the video it is clear that that the STEPS are well protected....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xxfwRByres

[seabeyond]

44. pretty powerful thaks. d*mn. all the pictures. f*ck taking it of the protesters

people are taking so many pictres of the cops, they are tied. interesting

[stillcool]

47. that shows the Capitol Steps..

blocked by the police, with only police shown on the steps. Lots of police, lots of cameras, no spray paint.

[MADem]

48. Even the article referred just to the PAVEMENT, not the steps, so who knows what the truth is? NT

[stillcool]

55. the article refers to the steps...

as noted in the very beginning of the article. The only source 'quoted' was the chief...via email...who mentioned pavement and 'anarchists'. This is surely an inflammatory article intended to cast protesters as anarchists...perhaps needing a concentration camp? Do you have a dog in this race?

[MADem]

77. The only quote for attribution, that is a direct quote, talks about pavement

The steps shit is all "sources say."

My 'dog' in this race is just the truth. I am not taking a cheerleader's position that advocates or dismisses. There's a story out there, there's one actual quote talking about paint on the pavement, and there's innuendo about the steps.

That's what I see when I read the report.

[MagickMuffin]

51. Yep, here's another video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlurLndME8Q

Again no one near the Steps....

[stillcool]

61. thanks for the links..

they were both great to watch. And thanks for the digging!

[MagickMuffin]

66. I couldn't let it go

so I had to keep digging, however, unlike Mad king Boy George I know when to stop.:rofl:

They were amusing!

[stillcool]

70. I may have done something..

that's not kosher. I sent your post along with nickyt's to Keith. [e-mail] <[e-mail]> It's been bothering me ever since I did it, because I know I should have contacted you before sending it. When I saw nickyt's it was too much to just let it go...mea culpa

[Verde]

80. LOL... The video was titled "Anti-war protestors try to rush the

capitol step." Uh, I saw someone look at the steps.

Good god, if they could have seen some of the protests and rallies of the 60's and 70's they would go apoplectic.

[MADem]

82. No need to go back to those days. That head cracking was terrible.

It got way too personal, with taunting on one side, anger on the other. Back then, police were "pigs" and you didn't trust anyone over thirty.

Police have gotten smart, and at least THEY understand "de-escalation" even if the Monkey doesn't now.


We don't need any Kent States for this generation. It's progress, the way the police deal with these situations nowadays. The restraint is commendable.

[rpgamerd00d]

53. NICE FIND! Proof this story is bullshit.

Approximately 300 protesters were allowed to take the steps and began to spray paint "anarchist symbols" and phrase such as "Our capitol building" and "you can’t stop us" around the area, the source said."

This video DEBUNKS THE ARTICLE.

There is NO WAY they could have gotten onto those steps.

Case closed.

[MADem]

57. Well, the video proves that no one got on those steps while it was being filmed

It doesn't prove anything beyond that.

That said, I am of the opinion that you take a little truth and a little bullshit and mix them together, and you get a story. I'm thinking someone sprayed some crap on the PAVEMENT (which is what the only actual quote for attribution in the article said) and "unnamed sources" turned it into the "steps" for dramatic effect.

That's what I think, anyway. And who cares what a few assholes did? It wasn't the behavior of the many thousands there. Heck, even at a wedding, you're gonna get one or two obnoxious drunks, slurring and grabbing, or puking in the bushes...I'm astounded there were so few incidents with a crowd that size.

[rman]

88. Not exactly a cross-section of protesters

Some people will not want to associate with 'anarchists'.

Maybe that was the point.

[helderheid]

62. Video results for 'capitol paint protest'

No Videos found for 'capitol paint protest'

:shrug:

[MADem]

95. The wingnuts posting the story misspelled capitol -- they went for 'capital'

The link is downthread. Tempest in a teapot. A few smudges are all that remain.

[Verde]

69. Here's the only thing on YouTube I could find...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT-I6e3NcJA

And it ain't what the article says.

Something REALLY stinks about this story. Oh, those evil anarchists trying to provoke the police and rush the capitol doors! (sarcasm)

[Warpy]

29. Here ya go:

"'The graffiti was easily removed by the dedicated staff, some of whom responded on their day off to quickly clean the area.'"

Yeah, I'll bet, just like that massively trashed White House was cleaned before pictures were taken.

You can bet that if such an event ever happened, pictures would be on page 1 of every newspaper and used to lead off every MSM TV broadcast.

Fe fi fo fum, I smell bullshit.

[redqueen]

46. Yup... they know a good number of Americans ARE that gullible.

Even still!

[helderheid]

33. KEITH OLBERMANN n/t

[MagickMuffin]

60. Have you ever sent anything to KO?

If so perhaps he would recognize your email addy. I haven't ever emailed HIS acct. before, so not sure if he would respond.
But I know other DUers have written him, but don't know if he replies to their emails.:shrug:

[sakabatou]

38. Sounds like the "WH was destroyed by leaving Dems" story

[caseycoon]

54. A different group?

There was a small group of people marching around DC who were referred to as anarchists in the photos they sent. I can't remember who posted the 2 photos of these people, but it said they were marching before & after "our" march & not with us. I have the 2 photos saved, but I don't know how to put them in my post, nor could I give credit to the photographer/original poster.

[Lex]

58. These were people with black bandana over their faces screaming

at us to "get off the sidewalks and onto the streets" before the march even started?

We laughed at them and their uniform little black outfits calling themselves 'anarchists.' I guess even the anarchists have a dress code.

They seemed more scornful of our peaceful assembly than even the freepers.

[caseycoon]

64. YES! Them!

Could they be the spray painters (if there actually WERE spray painters)?
:shrug:

[MADem]

83. Some of the video clips on Youtube call them 'black bloc'

They do look like a bunch of punk assholes.

[rman]

89. Black Block was/is Cointelpro

for all i know.

Looks like a (perhaps not so very successful) attempt to discredit the peace movement.

[MADem]

97. The few videos I saw of them (minus the K, just bloc) they looked like nerds

Pizza faced little shits, with out-of-shape physiques, a ton of purple/orange hair, the odd piercings that don't improve their appearance, a variety of black clothing with goofy little bandannas...they looked more like the "Mom's Basement Brigade" than any counterintelligence arm. They weren't scary, intimidating, or anything of that sort--they just looked, well, pathetic.

And if that little prance across the Capitol lawn (which looked like "break for recess" at a middle school, actually) is supposed to be effective, they oughta have a look at some of the old Chicago video...I suspect these little fuckers wouldn't be quite so enthused about their spray painting and fist waving if the cops decided to go "old school" on them.

I give the Cap cops credit--they showed appropriate restraint, and didn't let these stupid putzes get to them. They behaved well and facilitated folks expressing their viewpoints to their government. They were able to see the nuance, they realized these jerks were spoiling for a little confrontation, and they denied them the thrill.

The only ones who are going to believe these black bloc bozos are peaceniks are people who don't understand what "anarchists" are all about (likely a mystery to their wanna-bee hangers-on, too, I'd wager). Their goals have no intersection with any peace movement at all. They just want to wipe their flabby asses on EVERYTHING, for no good reason...

[rman]

110. Naive youngsters - perfect for manipulation

Cointelpro does not mean everyone in a movement is an operative. It means the movement has been compromised and is being manipulated into doing things that discredit the movement. Members of the movement are not supposed to be aware of it because then it wouldn't work.

This incident probably did not have much of an effect because it was non-violent (though i understand it has been called "vandalism"). But i think most people do not understand what anarchism is, just like most people do not understand what socialism is about - thanks to the MSM.

[MagickMuffin]

65. I think milkyway posted a link to his pics

they were towards the end of his slideshow....

[nickyt]

59. Just got this from FRC...I can't watch videos, what's this one look like? (2nd paragraph)

On 1/29/07 5:18 PM, "Family Research Council" <[e-mail]> wrote:

Take Action: Ask Congress - Are Left-Wing Vandals Above the Law?
January 29, 2007

This past weekend anti-Bush protestors marched on Washington. While the few thousand who showed up paled in comparison to the hundreds of thousands who marched for life earlier in the week, the anti-Bush protestors were given unprecedented access to the U.S. Capitol grounds, and some of them used that access to publicly deface taxpayer's property. According to the local newspaper, The Hill, the protesters were allowed to take the Capitol steps and they began to spray-paint "anarchist symbols" and phrases such as "Our capitol building" and "You can't stop us" around the area.



For any other group, such acts would mean immediate arrest. This time, the Capitol police's hands were tied because they were ordered to stand down by their Chief of Police, who answers to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). To add insult to injury, public employees had to come in on their day off, at taxpayer's expense, to clean up the mess the protestors left behind. (View this video <http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=LK07A109&f=AL07A05&t=e> to see evidence of the vandalism.) The vandals clearly broke federal law. According to the U.S. Code, "f the damage exceeds $100, the defendant is subject to a fine of up to $250,000, ten years imprisonment, or both . . When property damage does not exceed $100, the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100,000, one year imprisonment, or both."

According to the news reports the rank and file police officers were "livid" that they were ordered not to arrest anyone. Since the Capitol police answer to Speaker Pelosi, the question arises, did the Chief of Police give the "no arrest" order or did it come from someone else? Whoever is responsible for the order needs to explain why the physical destruction of taxpayer property is acceptable.

Please e-mail Speaker Pelosi's office and ask her to find out why no attempt was made to halt or arrest these vandals. If the U.S. Capitol has a new policy on such acts, does it apply to everyone - or just to those whose views the majority in Congress favors?

Click Here to Contact Speaker Pelosi <https://www.frc.org/get.cfm?c=CONG_DIR_LEG_FRC&f=AL07A05&t=e&jump=LK07A111>

Sincerely,

Tony Perkins
President

P.S. Please forward this email to at least one friend. <http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?c=REFER&f=AL07A05&t=e&ref=>

[stillcool]

63. I turned the sound off...

what I saw was a blonde girl in a black coat speaking...the camera panned away and showed a faded blur..presumably anarchists spray paint remains, and a plea to contact Nancy Pelosi and complain that our taxes are being used to clean up after anarchists. Really nice.

[nickyt]

68. Thanks for that report, stillcool!

[MagickMuffin]

75. Just got around to viewing your link

didn't look like much of anything to be up in arms about.

And the "reporter" claimed the people who cleaned it up had to come in on Sun. their day off. Yet IIRC the original article claimed it was cleaned up on Sat.:shrug:

[joshcryer]

78. What surprises me most here on DU...

...is how many people think it's Republican plants or Right Wing Activists, or Rove inspired psyops or some crap.

In the videos I saw nothing more than typical anarchist anti-thuggery tactics. They kept the police at bay, they made sure that they understood that they were going to stand up for themselves.

And they got to play around and do a bit of graffiti without even worrying about repercussions (remember last year there was a lot of violence as anarchists were arrested, the cops knew this year not to let it esclate to that point). It was cleaned up in no time and no one even cares about it.

Except for DU posters who don't know what anarchism is all about.

[MADem]

84. This group was not affiliated with the bulk of the marchers, they were just along for the ride, like

parasites. Hop in where there's a crowd, stir up some shit, and chuckle like children at their cleverness.

And odds are, half the people in their tiny little group had no idea what they were doing there either.

[rman]

92. Yet they get the most media attention.

[MADem]

93. Indeed. It's wrong to blame the dog for the flea... NT

[rman]

91. I think many anarchists don't know what anarchism is about

cointelpro is tried and true, no reason why those tactics would not be used now - especially now.

[MADem]

94. They think it is about wearing black clothing, waving their fists, and behaving like assholes at a

PEACE march.

[rman]

96. Right. And who benefits? nt

[MADem]

98. Who's paying attention to it at all, except perhaps a few twitchy folks at

FRC, and maybe Dennis Kucinich's daughter, who wrote a poorly sourced article for a crappy little insider DC paper that still has way too much GOP influence even after the switch (give it a year, and you'll see it go the other way--it tends to suck up to the party in charge) and a couple of folks here at DU who take the actions of a few assholes way too personally and actually think there's guilt of the peace crowd by unintentional and unwanted association with the Mom's Basement Brigade of Flabby Nerd-Toughies.

No one "benefits." The Family Research fools can harrumph and say "See??? SEEEE????" but it won't be enough to motivate them to get out to the polls. The little smudges of paint aren't effective--the clean up that was apparently done by maintenance folks on the same day DENIED either side, the kooky anarchists or the outraged righties, the opportunity to point and holler that THEY were right. Whoever called for "Cleanup on Capitol Pavement" was SMART, IMO. Defuse and move on.

300 fat kids in WalMart black hoodies waving fists and flags are not bandoliered contras....they're just idiots. This is a non-issue, IMO. It was a peaceful event, with no incidents even worth noting, which is why there's so much focus on this little foolishness...

[MADem]

79. Looks like someone dropped an avocado sandwich on the pavement, and wiped it up

I have no sound, so I couldn't hear what the person was saying, but it looked like a slight coloration of concrete, a bit of blue koolaid and and avocado sandwich, dropped and cleaned up...

[rman]

90. Lots of black flags with red signs

obviously "anarchists"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xxfwRByres

[blogslut]

67. Spray paint with paint

Or painted with spray chalk?

Several above reports claim the "graffitti" was removed easily and quickly. Sounds like spray chalk to me.

[MagickMuffin]

72. That's what I was thinking

but I wasn't sure if there was such a thing I haven't ever thought to look for spray chalk.

I do know there is crazy wash out hair coloring products, and thought perhaps they were using something like that instead of spray paint.

[joshcryer]

74. edit: wait

It seems people there were claiming there was actual paint fumes.

[MADem]

81. Transportation authorities and other city agencies have stuff to take that crap off

It's not a big deal, it's just a clean-up job is all. So paint, oil based or latex, chalk, silly string, or what-have-you, it's possible to get it all off. Some poor bastards are hired and sit in train/subway car yards around the country every day scrubbing that kind of stuff off with industrial strength cleanser. Public works crews do the same thing at federal and city and town buildings from coast to coast.

The video looked rather vague--greenish/bluish stuff. The thing is, who were these few hundred jerks? Why did they choose to disrupt a peaceful march? They sure did a good job of giving the tightie righties something to get their drawers in a wad about, didn't they?

[MagickMuffin]

102. You raised some good questions

The thing is, who were these few hundred jerks?

Don't know. Could they be related to RW families, asked to do the grown-ups dirty work like in Miami Dade back in Nov. 2000?

Why did they choose to disrupt a peaceful march?

How else will these guys get the attention they think they deserve? Another reason it just seemed suspicious to me is that the cops didn't do anything. Maybe they just aren't as aggressive in DC (?).
And doesn't this happen almost every time there is a protest?
Another reason is when this sort of activity started happening back in the eighties the media only focused on them. It used to be reporters would actually talk to the protesters. Then the so called anarchist infiltrated the protest, bringing with them negative energy and anti-corporate behavior, and that is what the media started focusing on and that was the end of that. No more do reporters talk with the protesters.
I'm not against anti-corporatism, but I just think there are better ways of getting your message across. Especially with the personal computer.
I mean sheesh, you have a whole print shop, news media outlet, or whatever your means of expressing oneself, within a computer. And now you can send that expression all over the whole and beyond...

They sure did a good job of giving the tightie righties something to get their drawers in a wad about, didn't they?

They sure did. And while I wanted to debunk this story I realize there are always disruptor's to be found, whether on forums on the internets or horning in on other people's territory, you just have to accept this to be true. However, it is also worth mentioning that this kind of behavior is tried and true, that these activities have been going on in this country for a long, long, time.

Whew, I hope my ramblings made sense. I been up for awhile.:evilgrin:

[MADem]

108. Heh, heh....actually, they may have gotten what they paid for

They might have tried to fund the project on the cheap, because it's deflating like a tired old balloon. I just can't see them staying mad -- or keeping their minions furious about this -- for long--they can huff and puff, but without the evidence, the photos of the affront, the "stained death shroud" so to speak, all they have is some lame video of what looks like blue koolaid and avocado, dropped on the steps and wiped up in indifferent fashion. That's not enough to get the minions outraged...

But I think it was those pizzafaces in the black costumes, myself--a few of them, wanting to be little toughies, who saw an opportunity and went for it. Putzes. They weren't peace marchers, they were jerks who were riding along on a huge crowd with a mind to making trouble.

If the right wing were able to muster large crowds, they'd be screwing with them, too. They're troublemakers, nothing more...unimportant little punks, who are insecure and have to make a name for themselves by behaving like juvenile asses. And for no good reason, either...

[Horse with no Name]

87. I'd be concerned about the troll that was here the other day

claiming he worked for a security company.
Claimed he got the shit beaten out of him and got sprayed with yellow paint.
Wonder if he was just creating a story about that to cover the yellow paint on him?

[MagickMuffin]

99. I'm not familiar with this story

please spill:popcorn:

[devilgrrl]

101. Oh you missed it...

the mods deleted the entire thread - which was a shame, it was a great bullshit story. :evilgrin:

This joker: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3064964&mesg_id=3067325

[MagickMuffin]

104. Oh My Gosh

That must be the "Mystery Man/Men" someone was asking about today:rofl:

[MADem]

100. There is an update to this story in the HILL today

http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/013007/uscp.html

....New details have surfaced regarding the incident where protesters were allowed to scrawl graffiti on the lower west terrace of the Capitol building.

According to a Democratic leadership aide, 50 to 60 protesters, rather than the 300 figure that was reported by The Hill over the weekend, were involved in the act of vandalism, which took place after the main peace march took place. The aide said a large tour group was leaving the Capitol simultaneously as the protesters approached the Capitol. The staffer also said that contrary to initial accounts, the Capitol was not shut down in the wake of the protesters approaching the building.

While the Democratic aide said that the graffiti was mainly made with chalk and spray paint, other sources detailed the use of permanent markers as well as spray paint.

A police source indicated police took photographs and video after the incident occurred. The photos were not made available to the press. According to sources, police were ordered by Morse and Deputy Chief Daniel Nichols to break their security line and fall back from 3rd Street S.W. to the Capitol steps....Architect of the Capitol staff was quick to remove the spray paint, Morse told The Hill on Sunday....

[MagickMuffin]

103. Thanks for the update

I like the fact they corrected the whole account.

The peace march had already left, and these "protesters" were not a part of it.

The figure was reduced to a more realistic number.

I would still like to see the pics

[MADem]

105. Chief Morse isn't making this up. It did happen. The thing is, releasing the pics gives

power to the punks who did the spraying. I think Morse is handling this right, and Allard is an asshole. The FRC with their little video of scrubbed paint are whining, ineffective agitators.

Much ado about nothing. Dennis Kucinich's daughter, or her co-writer, or both, were a bit sloppy in the original reporting. Oh well, live and learn--they'll not trust those unnamed sources for shit again soon.

Bottom line--it happened but it was unaffiliated putzes, and no big deal. Game done....

[MagickMuffin]

107. Agreed: about it being much ado about nothing

see my post #102 for some more of my insight about this incident.

[WolverineDG]

113. The more I read this the more I wonder

if this group was connected to the group of assholes who refused to clear Constitution Ave (at the Botanical Garden) after the March was over & the permit had expired? The cops were extremely tolerant of that asshattery. Maybe they got pissed & decided to do something else besides block traffic?

dg

[MADem]

116. The bozos in black? I'll bet you two dozen donuts that it was those jerks or others

who had no interest in the purpose of the rally. Large events always draw out fringe buttholes, who, in this case, are unaffiliated with the peace movement or any of its affiliated goals. They'd likely show up there acting like the same sorts of nitwits if it were an enormous NRA rally. Their interest is to hop aboard a LARGE entity, and like a parasite, suck the energy from the event to fuel their own foolishness and misbehaviors.

Like I said, asswipe Allard's faux outrage notwithstanding, the Cap cops did well. They denied these jerks a confrontation, and they cleaned up their little mess swiftly--after all, you don't beat down a toddler who poops on the stairs....and these idiots were clearly children.

[MGD]

111. Water balloons filled with bright dye slung with a water balloon slingshot are much more deployable

than spraypaint cans. Of course, the effects are much more random. Still quite effective IMO. Great for ruining blue uniforms too.





DMSO ------------- liquid LSD

[MagickMuffin]

114. Kewl, something to consider

I've often wanted something like this to hurl at terrible campaign billboards. You know, the ones with the candidates head towering 5 feet overhead. There was one fellow DUer who had Joe Barton peering into her apt. ICKkkkkkk.

I've also considered using some of those super duper water guns and thinning down paint and squirt squirt, no more jerks.:rofl:

[MADem]

119. Billboards are fair game, but in a crowd of people, not so hot!

I like the idea of "Super Soaker-ing" some of these GOP schmucks. I imagine, in this era, though, one would have to take great care, what with the security cameras everywhere.

One has to wonder how far one of those things will project, say, latex paint? Or clothing dye, the darker the better?

[MagickMuffin]

120. Let me know if you have any luck with that

and I'll do the same:evilgrin:

[MADem]

117. It's also a guarantee that the shooters would be culled out in short order

and charged with assault consummated by a battery if their projectiles hit a cop--they'd probably get rounded up because their actions had potential to cause upset in the crowd, even if they hit nothing. So, they'd surely be effective in ensuring a night or two in the pokey, at a minimum, and a solid bail expense.

Anyone doing that would be 'not too smart' in DC. But then, these spraypainters fit that bill, too.

[MGD]

121. It depends on the crowd situation and the LE situation.

To my knowledge, the water balloon catapult was first used against LE at Grateful Dead concerts. The super soakers were used there as well. Because everyone looked pretty similar, it wasn't too difficult to blend into the crowd and avoid being caught. I do remember hearing about cops being hit with supersoakers that were loaded with more than just water. Could be urban legend though. :shrug:
edit spelling

[MADem]

122. When cops start getting hit, though, and assuming they've got enough personnel,

they'd encircle a a bunch and round them all up. When you start cutting out big chunks of the herd (and they already see who the agitators are, they aren't stupid anymore) and especially the leaders of the group, that stuff stops pretty quick...

I don't go for that kind of stuff. The Cap cops are pretty decent, I know a few of them, they're normal folk. They actually take seriously their duty to protect people from harm while exercising their right to assemble. They're the happiest government employees in town when a big event like the Million Man March or one of these peace rallies goes off without any issues. That's why I can't stand these jerks who have to take advantage of a large crowd to pull disruptive nonsense.

[MGD]

123. like I said, it all depends on the situation

As a rule, I obey the law because I have too much to lose by breaking it (and getting caught). All the same, I don't have much love for law enforcement as a result of the drug war which is a whole different topic. Having said that, however, I would only point out that at no place in this thread have I suggested assaulting the police in any way, shape, or form.