The Republicans "Love" Freedom

When the Olympics were assigned to Beijing, the totalitarian government of China proceeded to do everything in their power to scrub Beijing clean. They enforced a mandatory "no car" zone throughout Beijing for months, trying to curb the rampant air pollution. They demanded that several large factories and production plants be moved further away from Beijing, also to try and curtail the massive Smog issue. The Chinese government sent out it's military through it's own city, forcibly removing the thousands of homeless and very poor, razing their homes and shanties, to better create a false image of prosperity and peace. They effectively banned protests by requiring that protesters file with a government office for a permit to protest, which, if given, would have entitled the protesters to standing a specifically designated "protest area" far far away from the media and athletes attending the Olympics. Of 77 applications, none were granted permission, of course.
The twin cities, home of the Republican National Convention, and firmly in the good ol' "Free" United States Of America, seem to have followed the exact same plan as China, supposedly to ensure a peaceful convention, but actually to create a sense of "IMPORTANCE" and "DANGER" to the proceedings by which John McCain will be formally announced as the GOP's candidate for President of the United States. The quote below is from Glenn Greenwald, "previously a constitutional law and civil rights litigator in New York. (and currently) the author of two New York Times Bestselling books: "How Would a Patriot Act?" (May, 2006), a critique of the Bush administration's use of executive power, and "A Tragic Legacy" (June, 2007), which examines the Bush legacy."

Following up on this weekend's extreme raids on various homes, at least
250 people were arrested here today in St. Paul, Minnesota. Beginning last
night, St. Paul was the most militarized I have ever seen an American city be,
even more so than Manhattan in the week of 9/11 -- with troops of federal, state and local law enforcement agents marching around with riot gear, machine guns,
and tear gas canisters, shouting military chants and marching in military
formations. Humvees and law enforcement officers with rifles were posted on
various buildings and balconies. Numerous protesters and observers were tear
gassed and injured.

One of the more than 250 people arrested was Amy Goodman, a reporter for DEMOCRACY NOW for over 20 years, and a stalwart defender of personal civil liberties. She was arrested on the street and charged with "conspiracy to riot."
Here is the audio of her arrest.

Here is the fucking video of Amy Goodman's arrest.

Here is San Francisco Chronicle's Joe Garofoli interviewing Amy Goodman as she was released from jail, regarding the events that took place.
It sure is nice to live in a police state is it not? What the fuck is happening here?