Note to self: set aside time for jail, September 2008

Hmm... we need a "scientists/science students against bush" demonstration of some sort. We'd better get brainstorming.

Why give the idiot what he wants? That being, "Darwinists trying to censor me..." The attention of a picket line would please him no end.

DOF, how is that different from saying that picket lines at abortion clinics empower women by making them see how much people are trying to control them?

Wooooo! Science Museum! Been there, done that, (and despite the mocking I received for it) got the T-shirt. SMM is easily my favorite part of the cities. I'd love to be there with all of you, but alas, should things go my way I'll be in grad school over a thousand miles away by then.

P.S. I love your blog. I've been reading for over a year now, but the chance to comment about my beloved Science Museum finally brought me out of lurkerdom.

Or we could just hang out in the SMM the whole time and take visiting Rethuglicans on tours of the dinosaur exhibit, and watch them stroke out and gasp for breath.

I think you'll have a hard time finding any who are willing to go in. Science is to Republicans as garlic is to vampires.

I'm fairly sure Sept. 1-4 is before school starts, so I can fit a road-trip in comfortably.

So you're telling me the Dems aren't a bunch of f-ing scoundrels themselves. They all are, R's and D's. Let's be honest here.

I've always wanted to visit the Science Museum of Minnesota. Actually I'd be cool to work there (or at any science museum for that matter). I'm stuck in an area of the country with a museum that never has openings for more complex than 'gift store sales clerk' so I can never get the 'experience' needed to compete for the interesting jobs. :( I have a Masters of Library Science degree (focused on digitalization and cataloging; so my skills are easily adaptable to the museum setting instead of the library setting) and find myself constantly stuck between under and over qualified for everything I apply for in library and museums. :(

Re: MN politics - you should know that earlier tonight Newt Gingrich on FauxNooze said your Democratic nomineee for MN Senator is a supporter of cop-killers and the fricking Symbionese Liberation Army. You can't make this stuff up.

By the way, PZ, I thought I'd congratulate you on the Twins making the playoffs. Planning to see any games in the Humpdome?

This is totally off-topic, by the way. In case you didn't figure that out. Just a baseball "aside."

No, M, PZ is NOT telling you that. He didn't say Word One about Democrats. You read that into his post yourself so that you could do the old "pox on all houses" argument that all the cool nihlist kids are into.

Anyone else care to join me in the protest lines that week?

I'll be there...and I'm bringing my friends! ("Who's that professor with the weird site name, that you link to--I love that site.") Well, at least I don't have to ride a bus for a day-and-a-half to protest the RNC this time. I was there in NYC; it was grueling but worth it.

The attention of a picket line would please him no end.

I don't agree. Dubya hates protestors. Let's just hold up signs with quotes from Bush's science advisory, who just gave an interview saying that intelligent design had no place in the schools. That ought to be embarassing enough.

Let's cram the Science Museum. Unwind at the 331. I and fellow radicals will be willing to let out-of-towners crash overnight, I'm sure!

The linked page has already been removed from viewing. Do you have another link to this planned science-undermine to which we can link and thus masochize?

i am strongly inclined to believe the post is pure sarcasm. Besides since when is protest an effective method of doing politics. I don`t see the DI do protest, although in the aftermath of their "mysterious workings" *sarc* they may actually be able to induce protest in diverse groups but via self sustained group dynamics and never directly.

IMHO Protest does more psychological harm for a compaign than it does good. Science should be based on logic and rationalism therefore scientists should use methodological and reasonable principles. Therefore Scientists should use proven effective psychological principles when dealing with political issues.

I think PZs time is spent way better when propagating his message via the various media he can get a hold of, and apparently he does exactly that increasingly more and more sucessfuly when measured by the significance of the various media and it`s "subscribers".

The Seed article was outstanding.

I would be there, but I have to work. That's the excuse I used to keep me off of Michigan Avenue a full YEAR before "Mission" was "Accomplished". With you in spirit, though.

"Science should be based on logic and rationalism. Therefore Scientists should use proven effective psychological principles when dealing with political issues."

Another reason I seldom march.

"Dubya hates protestors."

Hates them so much he carefully has his handlers screen everyone within a quarter mile of him to make sure they are "friendly". Enjoy your cyclone fence protest area in Hopkins.

We do need to discuss with the Democratic mayor of St. Paul the potential detrimental effects that a NYC "free speech zone" one mile away would have. The Republicans will want Coleman to shield them from any unsightly dissent.

Since I live here, I am disappointed that it is the Republicans and not the Democrats that will convene here. I had wanted to be a delagate in 2008 but now I won't. Damn.

I will join protests against "Family and Child Protection Amendmnents" and also protest the supporession of science by the Republicans,

I nominate lo's post for "Wet Towel of the Thread" award.

Cleveland's "loss" is Minny's "gain". You're more than welcome to them.

The Republicans won't be "wasting their time" at the SMM, they'll be too busy lookin' for hookers...

I'm soooooooo there!!!

mob of pigs, scoundrels, and theocrats. . .When we get tired of yelling obscenities and imprecations at the parasites

And that good old-fashioned, atheistic, secular-humanist charity rears its head once again.

Ever wonder why you're teaching in such a forsaken outpost as Morris, PZ?

Forsaken by whom, hoody? Nobody!

Be careful. You may not be kidding about the jail time. The Rethugs were in NYC in 2004 and they really did behave more like conquerors taking their spoils than conventioneers enjoying their host city. And a lot of civil rights went out the window while they were here...restriction of movement, arrest without charges, restriction of free speech...all commonplace while the Reps were in town.

"Dubya hates protestors." Hates them so much he carefully has his handlers screen everyone within a quarter mile of him

Hey, it's my turf this time. Let him try--video of his handlers will get splashed all over the public access channels. And who knows, the way the Republitards are fleeing from Bush, maybe Georgie won't be at the RNC convention to lend his support to the lucky new Tard in '08.

Golly, Scientists! Please don't come out and remind people that you exist and disagree with the guv'ment! Why, that'd be worse than getting thrown into that there briar patch...

Enjoy your cyclone fence protest area in Hopkins.

Well, I don't live anywhere near Hopkins. They're not going to remove people from their houses, for pity's sake. I think people are in for a surprise if they believe that they can control us Minnesotans. I think a lot of stereotypes are going to be dashed (hoody).

And a lot of civil rights went out the window while they were here [NYC]

Yes, and that's why protesting is not irrelevant, people. Where there is fear, there is power.

The people that I know are going to be there, whether or not anyone here shows up. And so will I.

Sounds like fun, though it is a bit in the future, who knows where I'll be. But if there's a plan come '08 and I'm still in range, it is gonna be tempting. But, of course, the Reps like to tell us all about their love of free speech and how we have and "they" don't. It's just Reps believe so deeply in conservation. They like to appreciate it from a distance, a safe distance, for free speech that is, where it won't be harmed. And they like to build preserves to keep them safe from harm, like the insidious media which preys on free speech. What a group. Gotta love them.

Now has anyone thought of starting a pool yet? For where the free speech zones will be set up. Anyone got Eden Prairie or Maple Grove yet? You know, they got a PF Chang in Maple Grove...just saying. Maybe the Reps will be SO GENEROUS and put it in Morris, for PZ's ease.

If the protests are organized as they were in NY last time around... you'll be lucky if your even a block from the convention. Plus they plant undercover people in with the protestors to start trouble with the police so they can crack down on peaceful protests. Oh and they video tape the protestors and try to use it as evidence... but of course they edit it down so you don't see that it's the "agents" in the crowd that actually started the conflict.

When the Republicans are in town the FBI plays hardball.

I think the time for passive protests may be over. They make the protestors seem violent anyway.

Oh, Bush will be there. They will be so busy raising him to Reagan status, the myth, not the man (Some how, in spite all those others died on 9/11 and since, he'll be the messianic martyred figure.). And, no doubt Norm Coleman will want his surrogate daddy to come and help him tie his shoes and take the trainers off his bike.

Now if things are so bad Bush wouldn't show his face would worry me. Imagine how much lower this guy can still take us in the next year or so. YEESH!

Yes, and that's why protesting is not irrelevant, people. Where there is fear, there is power.

I'm not saying don't do it. I agree: the repression is all the more reason to protest. Just be aware that you are taking a real risk of imprisonment and make arrangements accordingly.

Anybody want to lay in a supply of "Republicans for Voldemort" signs and t-shirts?

"Yes, and that's why protesting is not irrelevant, people. Where there is fear, there is power."

It isn't fear that keeps me out of the oxymoronic free speech zone. It's just that I think protests are less efective than disseminating information. An informed consumer buys the right brand thought.

Oh you KNOW I'm there, Drinking Liberally bro. And my partner Lynn(I think you met her briefly somewhere), my son and daughter and her son and their friends and...and we all just love SMM, too. We were more impressed by the Naked Zombies Anatomy Show than you were, for example. This is going to be like Mardi Gras and the Boxer Rebelion all rolled into one. The last people lucky enough to have their enemies hand-delivered to them like this are the terrorists now in Iraq shooting American soldiers.

Dang, I left an "of" out of the last paper I submitted, too. Gotta stop doing that.

I'll be there. Anyone who says protests are ineffective is obviously too young to remember the civil rights movement.

"Anyone who says protests are ineffective is obviously too young to remember the civil rights movement."

That was before the Internet. I did not say that protests are ineffective. I said they are less effective than education. The Internet allows ideas to reach a vast audience. Hand printed pamphlets just can't compare.

I did not say that protests are ineffective. I said they are less effective than education

But first, as the mule trainer said, you have to get their attention. A protest, espeically a massive or particularly messy protest, can get the attention of people who would never read Daily Kos or Pharyngula normally. The internet lends an added dimension to the protest. For example, PZ can blog on his experiences. And if he does get arrested, his being a famous science blogger will add more media attention. (Um, not that I mean to be sacrificing you to the public good or anything, Prof Myers...)

Then I call a brainstorming session for educational ideas. Usually, In the Heart of the Beast (giant puppet troupe) gets involved in protests. Let's have a multi-pronged approach: teach-ins (eat-ins at the local restaurants?), gatherings, workshops, web sites, blogs, chalk on the sidewalks, etc. Most people around here are pretty creative and will want this, not just a fenced-off screamfest (yeah, fence me in, just try). We're still the education state, and the group that brought me to NYC is committed to getting people at the site, having a peaceful protest, and getting them safely out. They're not novices.

But yes, thank you Dianne for your kind concern, I am definitely prepared for anything.

The protests in the Civil Rights era were so effective because the people in power had no qualms about open repression. When the films of peaceful protestors being beaten, harried by dogs, and sprayed by firehoses were shown in the North, people got a true sense of how cruel the South really was.

The forces you're fighting now are masters of media manipulation. They won't hesitate to do whatever is necessary to keep your message out of the media - barring that, they will use the media against you.

Honestly, I don't think any of us are or will be prepared for what will likely be necessary.

"The forces you're fighting now are masters of media manipulation."

Wow. I don't think I need to add anything to that.

Watch out, PZ - as of tonight they could lock you up and we'd never hear from you again - unless we actually have a Supreme Court that might uphold our constitution....

Donna

You may be more right than you know.

Given the rhetoric and the law what's to stop Bush from declaring that anyone who disagrees with him is aiding the terrorists?

Pee Zed the first of the dissaperados?

It is very, very tempting. Damn them for coming here.

We're watching you.