I read any news of how to avoid arrest while wandering the streets of Denver during the Democratic National Convention because, specifically, I don’t want to get arrested. In an act of kindness (or intimidation, if such is your bent), the Denver police have given us a guide to avoiding “little Gitmo.”

Denver police are giving some advice to protesters about what they can and can’t do at the Democratic National Convention.

Police are distributing a pamphlet reminding protesters of where they have a right to demonstrate but also warning them they can be arrested if they refuse a lawful order to disperse, even if they aren’t breaking any laws.

Other grounds for arrest include blocking streets, sidewalks or parades and disrupting public assemblies, regardless of whether the disruptions are the result of civil disobedience or symbolic actions, the pamphlet says.

It was put together with the help of the city’s Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations and modeled after reminders issued by other previous convention cities, such as Los Angeles, said Lucia Guzman, the agency’s executive director. She said thousands of copies have been printed and they’ll also be available after the convention leaves town.

Glenn Spagnuolo, co-founder of protest group Recreate 68, said he thinks it’s the police, not protesters, who need a reminder about the First Amendment.

“We have a pamphlet called the Constitution. A lot of us have read it already,” he said

I haven’t read the document yet, but I’ll be strangely disappointed if, firstly, it isn’t written in the style of the Ten Commandments, and, secondly, if somewhere in there I don’t find the words, “Thou shalt not fling poo.”

Because, seriously, I’m going to beat the living crap out of anyone who douses me with excrement.

Just sayin’.

Read the story. Because, no matter what you think of the kindly guide/intimidation divide, the comments on this story are hilarious. Anyone who compares the relative freedoms of America to life under the old Soviet leadership or in the land of the Nazis is clearly firing mental blanks. Back to Thinking 101 for you, bonehead.

Just like the old Soviets and the Nazis. The only difference is we have lots of “stuff”.

Permanent link to this comment Michael A | 1:10 PM on Tuesday Aug 19

None of which explains why folks wouldn’t be watching the Summer Olympics. This edition of the Olympics has had genuine drama, incredibly tense competition, disappointments, rousing performances by surprising athletes, and, generally, a whole lot of fun. I might just have to put together a list of the Top 10 Moments of the 2008 Summer Olympics because, yes, it has been that freakin’ good.

Kidding aside, I understand the ideological issues that have kept some people from watching--an act that I imagine they would think might be akin to giving tacit approval to the Chinese government. Still, the athletes that we have sent to represent our nation in the competitions have been bold, strong, gracious, and amazing. Cheering them on (and, honestly, cheering for some of the amazing athletes from other nations) has been a thrill.