Portland ...

[bedlamite]

Apparently federal officers protecting a federal courthouse from rioters is a "occupying army" according to a US Senator.

Also, in the not surprising department, the photo WW uses of "peaceful protesters" doesn't look so peaceful.

https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2020/07/12/oregon-governor-and-senators-condemn-trumps-use-of-occupying-army-on-portland-protesters/

https://reason.com/2020/07/13/homeland-security-acting-like-an-occupying-army-says-sen-wyden-after-federal-agents-shoot-peaceful-portland-protester/

[Jim147]

I think there was video in one the first stories I read showing this peaceful protester winding up to throw something when he was hit in the face.

Call me unsurprised that the story left out that these peaceful protestors have been try to break in and set the place on fire every night.

[MechAg94]

Okay, so they are only mostly peaceful. 

[griz]

The "mostly peaceful" description is pretty misleading.  By the same definition, the police response has also been mostly peaceful.  Come to think of it, when you consider that a lot of genuine warfare is spent trying to not get shot, you could even say that many actual battles are "mostly peaceful".

[Perd Hapley]

Apparently federal officers protecting a federal courthouse from rioters is a "occupying army" according to a US Senator.

So, like Ft. Sumter.

[Ben]

They opened the wrong guy's car door. The takedown looks like some skilz from the foot placement. Funny how big bad outlaw antifa turned to wimps in a hurry.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1282752376898834433

https://twitchy.com/dougp-3137/2020/07/13/masked-antifa-in-portland-opened-a-black-mans-car-door-and-it-was-a-really-bad-idea-video/

[Hawkmoon]

They opened the wrong guy's car door. The takedown looks like some skilz from the foot placement. Funny how big bad outlaw antifa turned to wimps in a hurry.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1282752376898834433

https://twitchy.com/dougp-3137/2020/07/13/masked-antifa-in-portland-opened-a-black-mans-car-door-and-it-was-a-really-bad-idea-video/

The man from the car either used to be a drill sergeant, or he does a VERY good imitation of one.

"Do you understand me? DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"

[Perd Hapley]

Love the freaking out over the arrows.    It looks like the guy couldn't get a crowd who wanted to take on the scary black man, so he just decided to quiet down and see if he could help someone find their dropped phone.

[RoadKingLarry]

That was freaking awesome!

[K Frame]

Portland unveils CHOP 2.0!

Wonder how this one is going to fare...

https://www.foxnews.com/us/portland-protest-autonomous-zone-tents-barricade-seattle-chop-chaz

[WLJ]

    Today the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security asked to speak with me about demonstration activity in Portland. He expressed his concern about ongoing violence and asked how his agency can help.

    — Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) July 14, 2020

    I told the Acting Secretary that my biggest immediate concern is the violence federal officers brought to our streets in recent days, and the life-threatening tactics his agents use. We do not need or want their help.

    — Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) July 14, 2020

[Angel Eyes]

https://twitter.com/sparrowmedia/status/1283436911307218948

(hardly an unbiased source, but still ...)

[WLJ]

https://twitter.com/sparrowmedia/status/1283436911307218948

(hardly an unbiased source, but still ...)

Look out folks, we got Trump-emboldened vigilantes on the loose

The Sparrow Project
@sparrowmedia
·
Jul 15
Replying to
@sparrowmedia
Now combine these tactics with cities/regions known for Trump-emboldened vigilantes wearing similar gear and you have a very dangerous and unpredictable cocktail.

[MechAg94]

Fed bois are destroying Portland Antifa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EgMijMhS_U

At least some level of law enforcement is taking this stuff seriously.

[Perd Hapley]

Look out folks, we got Trump-emboldened vigilantes on the loose

They say that like it's a bad thing.

[Ben]

Fed bois are destroying Portland Antifa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EgMijMhS_U

At least some level of law enforcement is taking this stuff seriously.

Lots of stuff in that video that put a smile on my face and/or otherwise reinforced my opinion that antifa are jackasses.

The one negative out of the way first: In the first scene (which may need more context), I couldn't help but think, in another kind of adminstration, what if I were just standing there peacefully protesting for the 2nd (or even maybe being a pain in the ass), a couple of guys in what looked like unmarked (other than "police")battle rattle came up to me and wordlessly grabbed me and took me away in an unmarked van? I'd be thinking I might be headed for the gulag.

Otherwise,  I don't care about most of downtown Portland burning down. They could stop it, but won't. The Federal building or any other federal property in Portland, however, are paid for with my tax dollars, and I demand that they be taken care of. So the "smile" stuff:

First scene: Assuming the guy was one of the property destroying rioters, it was actually kinda funny watching the two feds march up to him and march him away while the dumb broad was saying, "Use your words!" as if she was talking to a couple of 7 year olds instead of armed men, and somehow thought they gave a *expletive deleted*it about her little psychology ploy.

Asian guy scene: More than most videos I have seen, this shows just how vile and racist the fascist antifa movement is. These are the same people yelling about blaming Asians for the COVID, but here they are playing the "you all look alike to me" game with an innocent guy who, given past incidents, might have ended up beaten near to death because of his race.

The mug shots looked exactly as I expected them to.

The guy trying to hold the door shut to the fed building: Donut said it best: Angry bees. 

It looks like Hawkmoon was right regarding that video I posted a couple of days ago of antifa opening the black guy's car door ("Don't ever touch a black man's radio!") - the guy was apparently a drill instructor.

Anyway, good video. :)

[fifth_column]

https://twitter.com/sparrowmedia/status/1283436911307218948

(hardly an unbiased source, but still ...)

This could only be legal for those that make the laws . . . .

[MechAg94]

This could only be legal for those that make the laws . . . .

I figure the guy knew exactly what he was being arrested for.  Also, just because you couldn't hear it on the video doesn't mean they didn't tell him he was under arrest and ID themselves.  There is no requirement they do that for the person holding the camera.

That is the other side I guess.  I hate to make too many assumptions either way.

[fifth_column]

I figure the guy knew exactly what he was being arrested for.  Also, just because you couldn't hear it on the video doesn't mean they didn't tell him he was under arrest and ID themselves.  There is no requirement they do that for the person holding the camera.

That is the other side I guess.  I hate to make too many assumptions either way.

Well yes, I was referring to the footage as presented.  Regardless of words said that we're not aware of, this activity does not bode well for the "No, really, we're not living in a police state" argument . . .

[Ben]

Oh, the other great thing about the videos they take showing what tough and brave freedom fighters they are: The videos become state's evidence at their trials. 

[MechAg94]

Well yes, I was referring to the footage as presented.  Regardless of words said that we're not aware of, this activity does not bode well for the "No, really, we're not living in a police state" argument . . .

IMO, that all depends on what they were doing right before this video takes place. 

Would it be better if they were in all blue/black and had big "Federal Agents" patches on their uniforms?    I don't really like the masks, but everyone is wearing them now.  Given how often I see protesters/rioters throwing stuff at police, I would want goggles and/or face shield and helmets also. 

Maybe that is a good question.  Can friendly neighborhood police exist in a place where everyone disrespects them and is sometimes openly hostile?

[Ben]

IMO, that all depends on what they were doing right before this video takes place. 

Would it be better if they were in all blue/black and had big "Federal Agents" patches on their uniforms?    I don't really like the masks, but everyone is wearing them now.  Given how often I see protesters/rioters throwing stuff at police, I would want goggles and/or face shield and helmets also. 

Maybe that is a good question.  Can friendly neighborhood police exist in a place where everyone disrespects them and is sometimes openly hostile?

From Angel Eyes link:

Militarized Federal Agents from a patchwork of outside agencies have begun policing Portland (in rented minivans vans) without the explicit approval of the mayor, the state, or local municipalities. This is what that looks like in practice:

They really weren't policing Portland. They were (from the info I have seen) protecting Federal property. I've seen plenty of videos of people hiring security, or just a bunch of armed citizens, guarding private property without "explicit approval".

If the mayor of my town says, "Go ahead and express yourselves by burning down Ben's store - it's only property.", explicit approval can get bent. If possible, I will protect my property whether the mayor approves or not.

Again, I approve of what's happening now given data I have, because it is target defense of Federal (my) property. It would be hypocritical of me though, if I didn't say I would be worried about unmarked uniforms and unmarked vehicles in a different (President Ilhan Omar) administration or government.

[fifth_column]

IMO, that all depends on what they were doing right before this video takes place. 

Would it be better if they were in all blue/black and had big "Federal Agents" patches on their uniforms?    I don't really like the masks, but everyone is wearing them now.  Given how often I see protesters/rioters throwing stuff at police, I would want goggles and/or face shield and helmets also. 

Maybe that is a good question.  Can friendly neighborhood police exist in a place where everyone disrespects them and is sometimes openly hostile?

IMO, that all depends on what they were doing right before this video takes place. 

Would it be better if they were in all blue/black and had big "Federal Agents" patches on their uniforms?    I don't really like the masks, but everyone is wearing them now.  Given how often I see protesters/rioters throwing stuff at police, I would want goggles and/or face shield and helmets also. 

Maybe that is a good question.  Can friendly neighborhood police exist in a place where everyone disrespects them and is sometimes openly hostile?

I'm increasingly not OK with this. I think both the federal and state governments have been overstepping their bounds for a very long time. Protesting and rioting are two different things.  But policing and extra-judicial abduction are also two different things.

To answer your second question, in many places the damage is done and it is too late, regardless of who started the cycle of disrespect, to expect friendly relations between the police and the populace.  There are too many blatantly obvious differences between what the police can get away with and the behaviors the rest of us are allowed to engage in.  There has been too much "us vs. them" for too long. 

[TechMan]

Here is a list of what has been done so far to federal property in Portland: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/07/16/acting-secretary-wolf-condemns-rampant-long-lasting-violence-portland

[cordex]

Here is a list of what has been done so far to federal property in Portland: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/07/16/acting-secretary-wolf-condemns-rampant-long-lasting-violence-portland

Portland Police were forced to deploy crowd control spray to disperse a crowd that was throwing animal seed at officers.

I'm guessing that was actually seed intended for feeding birds, but if not then I'm at least impressed by the love that protesters are willing to show to animals.