Bittersweet Distractions

A popular “question” raised by the conservatives in light of the G20 protests is, why aren’t the Democrats and liberals criticizing the G20 protests like they did the 9/12 protests? Of course, the answer from the conservative mind is that the G20 protests, some of which were violent, were liberal protests. In other words, conservatives say the liberals agree with the G20 protests. Furthermore, conservatives are using this unanswered “question” as an example of Democratic and liberal hypocrisy.

Well, the Democrat leaders did criticize the Town Halls and 9/12 protests. They (with whom I agree on the following point) believe the 9/12 Patriot movement is bringing the fringe into the mainstream and stirring up anger based on false claims and misleading fear tactics. The final result of fueling the far-right conservative fire, many fear, is violence; a fear that is justified by far-right rhetoric and references to “revolt” and “taking back the country.” I think there are some dangerous ideas flying around throughout the conservative movement (I hate calling them ‘conservative,’ since they are not really conservatives, but rather traditionalist Christian nationalists, or simply ignorant pop-conservatives), and I think we should criticize it so that we are aware of it. But, to the conservatives’ favor, this movement has yet to become violent and remained peaceful during their 75,000 person march on D.C.

The G20 protests, however, have not been as peaceful. There have been a great deal of protests taking place without permits, and some serious confrontation has taken place. Yet, there has been no criticism of the protests from the left. So, why not? Well, I’ll tell you why and it’s not because the protests are liberal, as the pop-cons want you to believe.

Every major meeting of the world’s leaders brings out every political movement or protest you can imagine, not just “lefties.” In Pittsburgh, it’s no different. They range from liberal activists such as socialists, environmentalists, human rights activists, and fair trade supporters to rightwing activists such as pro-lifers, religious groups, anarchists, fascists and anti-socialists (and by fascist, I’m actually talking about those who identify themselves as fascists, not the politically diluted term thrown around all the time), and isolationists. And, of course the most prominent, those protesting globalism: from the left, it is those who protest global capitalism, and from the right, it is those who protest a global political community. Finally, the protestors aren’t just Americans; there are many people and political activists that travel the world to protest.

So, that’s why the Democrats aren’t criticizing the movement. (1) It’s expected at the G20; (2) the protestors range from the liberal to conservative activists, and; (3) they aren’t all Americans.

Now, shut up.