Good advice

Very good advice to all you nitwits protesting. Don't get me wrong, I respect the right to assemble and protest, but man, it's gonna suck getting around the city without the protests that week. Think of those of us who have to live and work here. From theoria at Daily Kos:

Playing Nice in NYC
by theoria
Thu Aug 12th, 2004 at 17:27:45 GMT

A Guide to the NYC Protests
So much healthy, wonderful bile yesterday as Kossacks went to war with each other over whether or not going to NYC to protest during the GOP Convention will help or hinder Kerry's bid for the presidency. Of course, that's up to god-shiva-trees-luck-themedia or whatever. There are some things we can do to help, though.

1. Don't be a Dick
This is basically true in all things you do (as Jesus often said), but especially so when the world is watching... and extremely so when The Man is just waiting for you to slip up and toss a soft pretzel at a cop on a horse or something. Resist the temptation. You could get us all killed.

2. Police Yourselves
Yes, this means that when that kid sidles up next to you wearing a baseball cap, Che tee shirt, sunglasses and a bandana over his face, you should tell him or her to see rule #1. Likewise, if this is the uniform that you were planning on wearing... think about staying home and playing Neverwinter Nights instead. If you see a gang of thugs trying to tear down the temporary cyclone fencing that might be the only thing between you and a can of tear gas, politely ask them to knock it off.

3. Speaking of Attire...
Be yourself. If nipple rings, a codpiece, a thong and leather chaps is the way you usually dress, go for it (I'm still looking for a place to stay, by the way.) However, if you normally dress sorta preppy, don't show up wearing your "Grim Reaper" costume from two Halloweens ago. (Zeke L gets a special permit from me to dress like Jesus and reenact the Passion as he makes his way toward MSG... shouldering a Styrofoam® crucifix and being pelted with Gummi Bears® and/or whipped with Gummi Worms® by the members of his congregation.)

4. Have a Beer with theoria
Nothing says "Don't Tear Gas Me" like kicking back and having a brew with a widely respected, universally admired, brilliant, witty, talented blogger. But since Meteor Blades won't be there, you can have one with me instead. I'll be the guy popping Advil and downloading porn over The Tank's T1 line as he pretends to blog.

More information below the belt... read on.