Deciderer's Most Excellent Adventure Begins
In Sao Paulo, Bush greeted by thousands of protesters
"SAO PAULO, Brazil -- As President Bush flew here aboard Air Force One on Thursday, thousands of protesters shouting, "Out Bush!" marched down this city's main drag, Avenida Paulista.Hundreds of riot police flanked at least 6,000 protesters near the city financial center, and the scent of tear gas hovered along the march route. At least three protesters and a news photographer were reported hurt as baton-wielding police and protesters clashed, but there was no immediate word on their condition. Authorities later said that 16 police officers suffered minor injuries.
"We don't want Bush here," shouted Marcelo Prado, 19, echoing a common sentiment. "Tell him to go home!"
You've got to believe that Rovian elements knew there would be violent demonstrations every inch of the way in this photo op extravaganza. I haven't bothered to take a look at Faux Noise but I would guess they've taken their cue to spin all the native opposition to this trip as a brave peacemaker besieged by leftist hatemongers. Actually I'd bet the farm on it. Codpiece is going to be in the eye of a six day storm.
He won't actually be in any physical danger, barring something very ugly. On just the first day it seems the world will stop rotating as he and his posse hit the street:
"Brazil is mounting what has been described as its biggest security effort ever in Sao Paulo. About 4,000 security personnel — including Brazilian troops and FBI and U.S. Secret Service agents — will be on hand during Bush’s almost 24-hour visit.
Bush is expected to travel in a 60-car caravan through streets that will be closed to traffic, and sharpshooters will be posted on rooftops, Brazilian media reported."
Unpopular neo fascist US politicians didn't always take such heavy handed security measures in South America. Then vice president Dick Nixon and his wife Pat almost got torn to shreds by enraged protesters in the mean streets of Caracas, Venezuela in 1958:
"In the thick traffic of the working-class suburb of Catia, the caravan slowed to a crawl, then halted. Several hundred rioters came running. They ripped the U.S. and Venezuelan flags from Nixon's car, pounded the doors with clubs, pipes, brass artillery-shell cases. Grapefruit-sized stones smashed against the safety glass until slivers began flying through the inside of the car. A shower of glass struck Nixon, one piece lodging in his temple near his right eye (it was easily removed).
Outside, the handful of escort police hung back. Brutally manhandled by vengeful mobs after the overthrow of Dictator Marcos Pérez Jiménez last January, they seemed afraid to tackle bloodthirsty civilians again. One U.S. Secret Service man threw himself across the back window of Nixon's car to protect it from stones and clubs. Others pulled at a stubborn student lying under the car's front wheels. The howling mob tried to overturn the car.
After twelve minutes' bitter combat, the limousine bucked ahead, bound for the tomb of Simón Bolívar, where Nixon was scheduled to lay a wreath. A block from the tomb the car suddenly veered off into a side street. Glancing through a shattered side window, Nixon could see a mob of 3,000 rioters, mostly high school students, waiting for him. (Days later, policemen found 400 Molotov cocktails cached in the basement of a nearby house.) The limousine sped off to the safety of the U.S. embassy residence."
Needless to say, Venezuela isn't on this trip's itinerary.
"SAO PAULO, Brazil -- As President Bush flew here aboard Air Force One on Thursday, thousands of protesters shouting, "Out Bush!" marched down this city's main drag, Avenida Paulista.Hundreds of riot police flanked at least 6,000 protesters near the city financial center, and the scent of tear gas hovered along the march route. At least three protesters and a news photographer were reported hurt as baton-wielding police and protesters clashed, but there was no immediate word on their condition. Authorities later said that 16 police officers suffered minor injuries.
"We don't want Bush here," shouted Marcelo Prado, 19, echoing a common sentiment. "Tell him to go home!"
You've got to believe that Rovian elements knew there would be violent demonstrations every inch of the way in this photo op extravaganza. I haven't bothered to take a look at Faux Noise but I would guess they've taken their cue to spin all the native opposition to this trip as a brave peacemaker besieged by leftist hatemongers. Actually I'd bet the farm on it. Codpiece is going to be in the eye of a six day storm.
He won't actually be in any physical danger, barring something very ugly. On just the first day it seems the world will stop rotating as he and his posse hit the street:
"Brazil is mounting what has been described as its biggest security effort ever in Sao Paulo. About 4,000 security personnel — including Brazilian troops and FBI and U.S. Secret Service agents — will be on hand during Bush’s almost 24-hour visit.
Bush is expected to travel in a 60-car caravan through streets that will be closed to traffic, and sharpshooters will be posted on rooftops, Brazilian media reported."
Unpopular neo fascist US politicians didn't always take such heavy handed security measures in South America. Then vice president Dick Nixon and his wife Pat almost got torn to shreds by enraged protesters in the mean streets of Caracas, Venezuela in 1958:
"In the thick traffic of the working-class suburb of Catia, the caravan slowed to a crawl, then halted. Several hundred rioters came running. They ripped the U.S. and Venezuelan flags from Nixon's car, pounded the doors with clubs, pipes, brass artillery-shell cases. Grapefruit-sized stones smashed against the safety glass until slivers began flying through the inside of the car. A shower of glass struck Nixon, one piece lodging in his temple near his right eye (it was easily removed).
Outside, the handful of escort police hung back. Brutally manhandled by vengeful mobs after the overthrow of Dictator Marcos Pérez Jiménez last January, they seemed afraid to tackle bloodthirsty civilians again. One U.S. Secret Service man threw himself across the back window of Nixon's car to protect it from stones and clubs. Others pulled at a stubborn student lying under the car's front wheels. The howling mob tried to overturn the car.
After twelve minutes' bitter combat, the limousine bucked ahead, bound for the tomb of Simón Bolívar, where Nixon was scheduled to lay a wreath. A block from the tomb the car suddenly veered off into a side street. Glancing through a shattered side window, Nixon could see a mob of 3,000 rioters, mostly high school students, waiting for him. (Days later, policemen found 400 Molotov cocktails cached in the basement of a nearby house.) The limousine sped off to the safety of the U.S. embassy residence."
Needless to say, Venezuela isn't on this trip's itinerary.
posted by nolocontendere at 8:03 PM
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