Canada RIOTS!

[Orwellian]

I guess you can take the boy out of Beirut, but you can't take the Beirut out of the boy!

[Coito ergo sum]

Understanding Vancouver's 'Hockey Riot'

http://www.thenation.com/blog/161493/un ... ockey-riot

Ahh... the Nation.... lol

Well, let's see - I agree - as far as I can tell, there doesn't appear to be any "orchestrated anarchists" behind the scenes. I'll wait for the investigation to be over, but I wouldn't jump to that conclusion.

HOWEVER, the Nation, while resounding calling such speculations "irresponsible" goes right out and pulls their own "cause" right out of the air...or more properly, their ass. The Nation says, "A deliberately created media circus of sports fervor, millions of alcohol advertising dollars, and City-sanctioned street party zones all over downtown will unsurprisingly lead to a massive street brawl." Naturally, the Nation goes out and does exactly what I was joking about -- blame capitalism - the culprit - the cause of the riots was "advertising dollars."

Why is this inherently bullshit - because there was no more of an influx in advertising dollars in Vancouver than in any other Stanley Cup finals city, or at the Super Bowl, or at the World Series. Fans are no less in a "circus of sports fervor" at any other sports main event. Yet, it is NOT common elsewhere, but it IS common in Vancouver (this is not the first time this kind of thing has happened in Vancouver). Yes, it also has happened elsewhere - but it is not ubiquitous or even commonplace. And, to suggest that "advertising dollars" and "sports fervor" and "party zones" downtown are UNSURPRSINGLY to lead to massive street brawls is just downright fucking stupid. If that was the case then it would have happened in Detroit - and it didn't. It would have happened in many other cities around the US and Canada whenever there was a sports final. Yet, this kind of thing is a rarity.

So, then the Nation goes on to speak out of both sides of its mouth - first - it says this is described as a "massive street brawl." Yes, it is "massive" when we're attributing it to "advertising dollars" and a "sports fervor." However, when we talk about the Canuck fans being involved, it's "miniscule." The Nation goes on to say, "Let’s also dispense with the fiction that this was the fault of all “Canuck fans.” The fans on the whole were actually in fine form after the game. They gave Conn Smythe winner, Bruin goalie Tim Thomas, a standing ovation and also rose and cheered for every Bruin from Vancouver British Columbia. Of the millions of Canuck supporters, this was a miniscule mob." Well, which is it, Nation? Massive? Or, miniscule?

Then the Nation goes on to contradict its own opinion - "As activist and hockey fan Derrick O’Keefe said to me, “'Sometimes a riot is the ‘language of the unheard’, in the words of Martin Luther King Jr. But sometimes a riot is just an expression of young male stupidity and violence —this was the case last night in Vancouver.”" - Yes! It was young male stupidity and violence! Young males (well, and females too, by the looks of the pictures and images - there were females participating, but who cares - it was mostly males for sure) have occasionally become violent when partying and watching sports. It's the same mentality that makes soccer fans beat each other up in England. Young men like to fight and like to drink booze. But, of course, somehow - it's the fault of "advertising dollars." Derrick O'Keefe is referred to as an "activist" - not specified what he agitates about, but I wonder...

Then there's this comment: "John Ward-Leighton also pointed out on his blog the role that the liquor lobby placed in turned an entire area around the arena into a branded "Entertainment Zone" larded with bars and free-flowing liquor." Really? Those bars don't exist at other times? They were specifically "larded" on the arena for the Stanley Cup? And, there's something wrong with an "Entertainment Zone?" The whole purpose of the zone is so that party goers don't get out of control - it's supposed to keep them in an area designated for having fun, eating and drinking and rooting for your team, and the existence of the zone is to keep them from spilling over into neighborhoods and such. And, "free flowing liquor?" Really? What the fuck does that mean? Were they serving to anyone who wanted it regardless of legality? What a fucking crock of shit. Modern day temperance douchebag, it sounds like...

Listen to this - the Nation poo-poos the idea that this was something that "anarchists" were involved in, right? But, look who they interviewed - an "activist" above, and then this douchebag who is bitching about the Entertainment Zone who says, ""This "zone" has nothing to do with entertainment and much to do with the almost criminal profit taking..." - CRIMINAL PROFIT TAKING? What the fuck is "criminal" profit taking? How much did the beer cost? $20 a mug? Give me a fucking break here! I mean - was the booze "free flowing" or was it so expensive as to be a "criminal profit?" And, what the fuck does the bars' profit margin have to do with whether there are riots? Fucking christ...

And, listen to this garbage! "And yet the action —or inaction of the police is garnering attention as well. Alex Kerner, a law student and activist said to me, “How the police dealt with this riot compared to the G20 in Toronto last summer is instructive. While the destruction of police cars, property and lighting of fires was much more extensive this time, the police tended to focus only on those who committed the acts of vandalism. Some tear gas was used but for the most part the targets were the actual rioters. Contrast this to the G20, where police used much more limited property damage by anarchists during the protests to sweep through the entire protest and arrest a record number of participants, irrespective of their actions. This sends a pretty sharp message from police that being around a pointless hockey riot is much safer than being at a protest with an actual purpose.”"

So, fucking nothing they do is right? There is a riot and the police respond measuredly and only tear gas and arrest the actual rioters, leaving peaceful passersby to move about their peaceful business, and that's not good enough! Now, the Nation, who said it was "irresponsible" to suggest that the riots are something that was instigated by protesting "anarchists" (whoever they are), is now suggesting that the police have a purposeful ulterior motive - if you're an anarchist mob, we'll arrest the innocent with the guilty, but if you're a hockey mob, the innocent people don't get arrested. THAT apparently is NOT an "irresponsible" allegation, even though they have no proof of any kind for it. Moreover, the Nation wants to make some kind of fairness argument over innocent people either not getting arrested or getting arrested! I guess what they want is -- hey - if there is going to be mob violence, if you screw up and go over the line in one riot, you have do so in all riots - otherwise it wouldn't be fair....

And the Nation - apparently this is "responsible" reporting - is suggesting this: NHL hockey is not simply a game, it is representative of obedience to consumerism and is part of the state's attempt to forge a false identity —despite vast differences and inequalities across race, class, and gender, through the spectacle of sport." The state does reap what the state sows. We should remember that as the hand-wringing by police and government officials commences in the wake of Vancouver's Great Hockey Riot."

So - now the hockey riot is not "anarchist" bred, but "nationalist" bred. To say it's the former is "irresponsible," but apparently it's just fine to attribute some nationalist movement to the riots. It's also about "race, class and gender" - and we're to blame the riots on the sport itself being racist, classist and sexist, and "nationalist" in scope, and it's all the fault of "the state" which reaps what it sows.

It's been a long time since I've read a bigger pile of casuistic tripe and inane, fatuous bullshit. What a fucking joke.

[Mr P]

[Mr P]

Now that's what I call passion!

[sandinista]

Ahh... the Nation.... lol

Well, which is it, Nation? Massive? Or, miniscule?

massive brawl, miniscule when compared to the amount of people at the game. Not so hard to understand....well, for you maybe.

As for the rest of your pathetic diatribe,

[Coito ergo sum]

Ahh... the Nation.... lol

Well, which is it, Nation? Massive? Or, miniscule?

massive brawl, miniscule when compared to the amount of people at the game. Not so hard to understand....well, for you maybe.

As for the rest of your pathetic diatribe,

You would think that - I'll let the readers who aren't rabid anti-capitalists decide what they think of the piece of trash Nation article.

And, YES - that's the point - massive brawl - miniscule when compared to the amount of people at the game - then obviously the "advertising dollars" and "criminal profit-taking" could only possibly have come into play with respect to a "miniscule" number of people. Yet, the Nation doesn't describe it as such. The Nation addresses it as if it's something extraordinarily HUGE.

But, of course - they have their agenda - hence the only interviews were not with sports fans and general attendees, but with "activists" like "progressive writer" and anti-capitalist Derrick O'Keefe, and the blogger interviewed about "criminal profit taking." Of course they are going to attribute anything that happens to capitalism. That is their shtick, like yours.

And, my main thesis was that the Nation went off on how "irresponsible" it was to even suggest that some of the rioters might be anarchists (whoever they are) orchestrating this. However, the Nation had no apology for going off on attributing it to the "Canadian State" that "reaps what it sows," and to a rampant, racist, sexist, nationalist movement! Surely even you can see the douche-baggery in that. I am sure everyone else with at least half a brain can see it.

[Warren Dew]

Well, let's see - I agree - as far as I can tell, there doesn't appear to be any "orchestrated anarchists" behind the scenes.

Isn't "orchestrated anarchists" an oxymoron?

Yes! It was young male stupidity and violence! Young males (well, and females too, by the looks of the pictures and images - there were females participating, but who cares

There were females participating, but I notice it was the males who went for the Louis Vuitton handbags. I guess that's Canada for you.

And the Nation - apparently this is "responsible" reporting - is suggesting this: NHL hockey is not simply a game, it is representative of obedience to consumerism and is part of the state's attempt to forge a false identity —despite vast differences and inequalities across race, class, and gender, through the spectacle of sport." The state does reap what the state sows. We should remember that as the hand-wringing by police and government officials commences in the wake of Vancouver's Great Hockey Riot."

I have to agree with them there. Fortunately, here in the U.S., a respect for property rights spills prevents those inequalities, so we don't get sports riots like they do in Canada or Europe.

[sandinista]

I'll let the readers who aren't rabid anti-capitalists decide what they think of the piece of trash Nation article.

But, of course - they have their agenda -

but-of course, EVERY source has an agenda. You would think this wouldn't have to be pointed out to you time and again.

I am sure everyone else with at least half a brain can see it.

coming from someone operating with, at best, on a good day, a quarter of a brain.

[BrettA]

Yes! It was young male stupidity and violence! Young males (well, and females too, by the looks of the pictures and images - there were females participating, but who cares

There were females participating, but I notice it was the males who went for the Louis Vuitton handbags. I guess that's Canada for you.

What are tryin' to thay, tholdier-boy?

And the Nation - apparently this is "responsible" reporting - is suggesting this: NHL hockey is not simply a game, it is representative of obedience to consumerism and is part of the state's attempt to forge a false identity —despite vast differences and inequalities across race, class, and gender, through the spectacle of sport." The state does reap what the state sows. We should remember that as the hand-wringing by police and government officials commences in the wake of Vancouver's Great Hockey Riot."

I have to agree with them there. Fortunately, here in the U.S., a respect for property rights spills prevents those inequalities, so we don't get sports riots like they do in Canada or Europe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggieville_Riots ... "...They were some of the earliest collegiate sports-related riots in the United States..."

[Ian]

[sandinista]

[JimC]

Ahh... the Nation.... lol

Well, which is it, Nation? Massive? Or, miniscule?

massive brawl, miniscule when compared to the amount of people at the game. Not so hard to understand....well, for you maybe.

As for the rest of your pathetic diatribe,

In reality, a set of well argued, measured responses that are not wildly right wing or reactionary, simply a critique of other's positions; I may not agree with all, but most of Coito's points seemed valid and straight-forward...

As usual, you laugh of any opposing argument as drivel, without any reasoned response of your own...

[sandinista]

In reality, a set of well argued, measured responses

I'll let the readers who aren't rabid anti-capitalists decide what they think of the piece of trash Nation article.

Ahh... the Nation.... lol

HOWEVER, the Nation, ...or more properly, their ass.

Why is this inherently bullshit

"party zones" downtown are UNSURPRSINGLY to lead to massive street brawls is just downright fucking stupid.

What a fucking crock of shit. Modern day temperance douchebag, it sounds like...

what the fuck does the bars' profit margin have to do with whether there are riots? Fucking christ...

And, listen to this garbage!

It's been a long time since I've read a bigger pile of casuistic tripe and inane, fatuous bullshit. What a fucking joke.

Surely even you can see the douche-baggery in that. I am sure everyone else with at least half a brain can see it.

As you can see, well argued, measured responses. Not to mention all the bullshit he was spouting at the begining of this post. As usual, JimC, you head is stuck firmly up your ass.

[JimC]

Selective quoting does not equal a reasoned rebuttal...

[Atheist-Lite]

Selective quoting does not equal a reasoned rebuttal...

Can I quote you on that?