this post was submitted on 02 May 2024
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[–] someguy3@lemmy.ca 39 points 1 year ago (3 children)
[–] ondoyant@beehaw.org 72 points 1 year ago (4 children)

cop got on the news and used a bike lock chain that was used to barricade the building as "proof" that the protestors were infiltrated by professional agitators, because it was an "industrial chain" or something like that. its the bike lock that Columbia University itself recommends to students.

[–] stembolts@programming.dev 52 points 1 year ago (3 children)

The entire conservative, pro cop playbook is "say silly things, pretend you don't know they're silly".

And if anyone calls you out, act offended. Everyone knows if you are offended you are right. Growing up in a religious household it's incredible how many times I saw someone use, "You're rude therefore you are wrong" as a core tenant of "debate".

The 'victim card' is the conservative 'race card'.

[–] Lianodel@ttrpg.network 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Really reminds me of the "military-aged" thing. It's just so pathetic.

[–] theneverfox@pawb.social 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] Lianodel@ttrpg.network 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

When conservatives fearmonger about immigrants and brown people, one of the current favorite talking points is to say they're "military-aged." It's vague and meaningless, but it implies something sinister, and plays into just about any conspiracy theory an audience member might be inclined to believe.

On top of that, they're afraid from merely seeing these people. They're just scared to death of brown and black kids and young adults.

[–] sukhmel@programming.dev 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

In this context that probably means something around "traumatized and depressed by the military regime in the place where they come from"

But they don't always come from places with such regimes and/or wars, while local citizens are also traumatized and depressed just for a different reason

[–] Lianodel@ttrpg.network 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

At least in the contexts I'm talking about, and I've never seen it used in another, it's really not that. It's coming from talking heads fearmongering about nonwhites, portraying nonwhite immigrants as criminals, ginning up a "border crisis" narrative, and even calling it an "invasion."

[–] sukhmel@programming.dev 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Ah, well, I'm wrong then. Maybe they mean something like "it's those guys at war with us [white supremacists]" then?

[–] Lianodel@ttrpg.network 2 points 1 year ago

Yeah, pretty much. It ties into the "white genocide" and "great replacement" conspiracy theories, where the mere existence of nonwhites is taken as violence. It also often blames Jews for orchestrating it. It doesn't make any sense, but it appeals to paranoia and supremacy, and provides a scapegoat for literally any actual systemic problem.

[–] theneverfox@pawb.social 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well I just learned the term today, but it seems to have the implication "these are men who could be military. They could be hidden insurgents

[–] sukhmel@programming.dev 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How convenient when nothing should be proven right

[–] theneverfox@pawb.social 2 points 1 year ago

"We're just asking questions!"

[–] HawlSera@lemm.ee 7 points 1 year ago

"Anything but complete surrender is invalid" - Sadly I'm familiar

[–] thefartographer@lemm.ee 14 points 1 year ago

Versus some of that old fashioned homemade chain. HOW ARE THESE PROFESSIONAL PROTESTORS GETTING THEIR HANDS ON COMMERCIAL-GRADE METALS???

[–] Umbrias@beehaw.org 6 points 1 year ago

Of course they do know there are professional agitators at the protests, they're them.

[–] frezik@midwest.social 6 points 1 year ago

Let me guess, hardened steel? Because that's how you keep your bike from getting stolen in New York. Kryptonite calls it the "fahgettaboudit" lock for a reason.

[–] rockSlayer@lemmy.world 61 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The governor of NY, and former cop, justified the police response to the anti-genocide protests at Columbia with a statement about "outside agitators". When pressed on that, the governor essentially said it was a gut feeling.

[–] gt5@lemm.ee 13 points 1 year ago

It was the mayor not the governor

[–] DahGangalang 12 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Probably the Columbia University protests. I expect this means someone was arrested for having a bike lock (which can be used as a bludgeon).

[–] EldritchFeminity@lemmy.blahaj.zone 41 points 1 year ago (2 children)

They were using the bike locks to claim that the protesters had ties to terrorist organizations, because "it's not the kind of thing a normal student has."

Despite the fact that the exact model of bike lock was part of a deal on bike locks advertised by the CU campus security on Facebook not 6 weeks ago.

[–] DahGangalang 25 points 1 year ago

Wow, I think that is an instant winner for the annual "most dogshit excuse for cops to do a thing" award.

[–] sukhmel@programming.dev 12 points 1 year ago

I mean, let's think about it step by step. The protesters used bike locks, having a bike lock implies having a bike, having a bike implies using it, using a bike implies you're riding it for transportation. That obviously means that the infiltrators are from Europe (most likely, Netherlands)

[–] The_Hideous_Orgalorg@sh.itjust.works 29 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think the students had chained the doors with bike locks, and the police are trying to claim the chains constitute professional involvement.

[–] DahGangalang 7 points 1 year ago

This also sounds like a reasonable explanation.

[–] Pilgrim@beehaw.org 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It was used to close one of the doors of the building they occupied

[–] DahGangalang 3 points 1 year ago

This also sounds like a reasonable explanation.

[–] Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works 31 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If you consistently have a strong hunch it's probably time to see a doctor.

[–] bobs_monkey@lemm.ee 14 points 1 year ago

If hunches last longer then four hours

[–] CyberSyndicalist@hexbear.net 25 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Who has a bike lock in NYC? famously you can trust to find your bike where you left it in NYC.

[–] HawlSera@lemm.ee -3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This a joke? NYC is crime rampant

[–] bobs_monkey@lemm.ee 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] HawlSera@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Sarcasm doesn't read over text

[–] InputZero@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

While that is generally the rule, I found this one to be the exception. There are a few things New York city is known for, let alone every other major city in the world.

[–] jol@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Not everyone is aware of the cultural particularities of American cities. My idea of crime of crime in NYC is fangs in the 80s.

[–] HotsauceHurricane@lemmy.one 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Plot twist, Rafael is a cop.

[–] sukhmel@programming.dev 4 points 1 year ago

Nah, Leonardo is, he's got blue lines all over him

[–] blandfordforever@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Bake 'em away, toys!