Ferguson: too much or not enough?

[DeistPaladin]

The right to peaceably assemble is a right, but it is not with out limitations. Once the peace is gone then the right to assemble gets regulated. If the crowd does not adhere to said regulations then they must be disbursed. The question is was what they did too much?

So many problems:

1. The limitations to free speech include where others are endangered or the functionality of society is impaired. Examples include the classic yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater when there is no fire or blocking traffic, preventing people from going to work, intruding on the private property of others, etc.

There was no justification for the curfew. These were peaceful protesters gathered in a public area disrupting no one else's business.

2. The police showed up with military vehicles and machine guns trained on an unarmed crowd. This is swatting a fly with a sledgehammer and only serves to ramp up tensions. Sure, you have such units on standby if a riot breaks out but for this to be the first club out of the bag is irresponsible.

3. The "get out by sundown" order also understandably hits a raw nerve with African Americans. If you didn't know, there's a very sordid history with that very phrase. Actually, in some places in America, it's not history, shocking as that may be. Using this phrase is another example of how NOT to run public relations and manage an already angered crowd.

4. The thuggish nature of the police went way beyond clearing the streets. They invaded neighboring restaurants, arresting people who were seated without cause. Two reporters were arrested at a McDonalds for not getting their stuff together and clearing out fast enough. They had no cause to do that.

5. What a difference between this and how the Tea Baggers get treated by the police. The Bundy ranchers pointed weapons at Federal agents, for Reason's sake. If these people had been Bundy ranchers instead of disgruntled citizens, the shrieks from conservatives would split ear-drums all over the country. The armed and dangerous ranchers got the kid-gloves treatment while unarmed peaceful protesters got the jack boot. Tell me no racism or political bias here.

6. (EDITED to add) The police have also silenced the media, stopping recordings and taking cameras. At one point, a camera crew was fired upon with a tear gas canister. There is no reason to shut down the media unless you have something to hide.

Sorry if I'm repeating what's already been posted. I saw this early post and had to respond.