The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

http://krmg.com/localnews/2009/10/protest-over-tpd-layoffs-in-wo.html (http://krmg.com/localnews/2009/10/protest-over-tpd-layoffs-in-wo.html)

What do ya'll think?  Appropriate or no? 

If wacko moonbats can protest outside the Bush Ranch in Texas then why shouldn't some city employees do the same thing outside the mayor's house.

As long as they don't block the street and create a safety hazard, it's within their rights to 'peacefully assemble'.  I wonder how long the 'peaceful' part will last.

There is precedent for protest in front of the Mayors house.  Acorn protested Jim Inhofe when he was mayor. Their protest lasted until he threatened to kill them.  Of course they were trespassing and were threatening his wife and children.

I agree with Hoss, that they need to be careful not to break the law...of course I have to wonder...in this case who is going to enforce the law should it be broken?

Starts at 11 am and lasts till dark on Friday.  What do you bet she won't be home during those hours?  FWIW, no I don't think it's appropriate to protest outside an elected official's home, unless said home is owned by the taxpayers like the White House or Governor's Mansion.  I agree with their right to protest, I just don't think this is the appropriate venue and unnecessarily can inconvenience the neighbors.

I agree 100% with Conan

Take it down to City Hall. But, don't get run over, there's no mall space there.

Besides, as we all know, the location isn't so important so long as the press covers it.

+1 to Conan.

Unless the government official did something unethical, unconscionable, or illegal (embezzlement, contract steering, etc.)  - in which case they have used the officer for personal gain to the exclusion of the public.  At that point, everything about that person is fair game IMHO. 

In this instance - it's politics.  I don't think it is appropriate to force the Mayor to take her work home with her, so to speak.  To the best of my knowledge, while she may have played politics on this issue, her actions aren't beyond what is supposed to normal occur in the office.

That said, I don't have a serious problem with it either.  I find it in poor taste, but so long as they do as they say (non-violent, non-disruptive) - it is their prerogative.   But frankly, I view it as more government workers pissed that the golden goose has attempted to spurn them.

Oh, but your city councilors have seen to it that picketing on city property is illegal:

Tulsa ordinances Title 27, Section 1702A.

Isn't that convenient, you can picket anything but the government.

So picket across the street from gov't property.

If PETA pickets McDonald's, I guarantee you that they are going to have to have to do it off of McDonald's property

The right of citizens to petition and protest their government is quite a different matter than the right of PETA to protest on the property of McDonalds. 

We should be able to protest on government property.  I think that ordinance is unfortunate.  I'd like to see this protest on city property right in front of the old city hall.

A wee bit of fence-sitting which I agree with. Still, hard not to dispute what jamesrage wrote regarding Sheehan.

Let me see, across the street from City Hall is more city owned property.  No picketing there either.

This is most likely a fabrication and not the true story.

Nah, I remember the story as having happened. Don't remember if it was Acorn, but he made a promise to shoot them if they didn't leave his property. Probably put him in the Senate.

Get over it TPD. What makes you think you should be immune to budget cuts? Protection from crime? Hard to stop snickering if you've ever had the pleasure of dealing with them. Mostly they are there after the crime has been committed. I like them just fine and respect them a ton for their work, but they are always short handed and now underfunded just like everyone else in a recession.

Its no surprise to me that Taylor is unpopular with them. Every mayor has been unpopular with city employees as long as I remember.

Good response Coney.

It is true.  I heard Inhofe talk about it with my own two ears, all while his campaign manager got upset because he didn't think that was something he should be talking about, IE threatening to kill protesters.

Any time I have to listen to Inhofe my ears bleed.  Coburn just makes me laugh uncontrollably.

Well sh!t, I guess they will have to picket from a block or two away.  Damn the luck!

How would that stand a constitutional test?
(How ironic; citizens upholding the constitutional rights of police...)

When the president of the FOP says that he doesn't think it's right to protest at the Mayor's house and the organizers don't believe they should even give out the address, then it sounds like a bad idea all around.

If the property is owned by the taxpayers under the charter of a city then a person can exercise all rights granted.  As long as such taxpayers are moving and cannot be considered loitering they are protect in many labor case decisions.  Exception; if such is within a gated community then it is private property and can be restricted.    

That will be the media blocking the streets more than officers. I wonder if they'll drive their personal vehicles or their squad cars.

From the Tulsa Business Journal:
Media Outnumbers Protesters (http://www.tulsabusiness.com/article.asp?lID=7&sID=8&m1=9&cID=Z&aID=98993378.738003.648479.4204327.9653676.991&aID2=49874)

I was there taking pictures, I guess I was counted as a member of the media...whcih I guess is more accurate as counting me with he protesters...nevertheless, please to enjoy the pictures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roemerman/sets/72157622696749200/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roemerman/sets/72157622696749200/)

Silly place to park a mail truck....    ;)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/roemerman/4059066126/in/set-72157622696749200/)

Lemme guess..."Laid off need beer" guy was Paul Tay?

Good. They can stand in front of that personal automobile warehouse a block north built into a residential neighborhood.....

I'm not so sure Conan; I don't see an inflatable popo on his bike.

Isn't the guy on the bike banned poster "doubleA"?

yes it was...

Soon as I asked, I looked again and saw the large cache of signs tucked into the right saddlebag of his bike and noticed the cammo pants.

Did they follow the lead of the carpenter's union and hire homeless people?

If it is, his having to ride the ol’ Schwinn 3 Speed to the protest goes a long way to explaining AA’s hostility to women. ‘Cause he’s not going to be scoring much with the ladies on that ride.

That's funny.  Reminds me of Bill Paxton's line from "True Lies" about not being well endowed and not scoring much.

I thought this was a bike friendly place...

from KOTV's website
"Paul Tay, a former mayoral candidate, was at the protest, mostly joking and videotaping those videotaping him. The number of media at the protest was about even with the number of protesters."

article can be found here:

http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=11415151

Protesters < reporters = FAIL

Fail was the media even running the story the day before and afterwards