This has been cross posted at Daily Kos
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/8/1 24759/1599/864/452712
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...prepare to be met not only by legal authorities, but by non-violent Democratic Party members who are 1000% resolved that the Convention will take place without threat or duress to its convening members.

Many of us were around in 1984 when we were VERY pissed about how the superdelegates broke. We dealt with it, because that was the rule when the primary season commenced. And we bitched about it after that primary season ended.

Superdelegates constitute roughly 20% of all delegates and, as such, it is not unexpected that they could decide an election, much as the other 80% of delegates could.

I have an inordinate amount of complaints with the DNC and our nation's elections. Caucuses suck - they are a throwback to a less democratic time and they are often not pleasant to attend, as many have said during this primary season who participated in and/or helped staff them for various campaigns.

That is but one example of the crap which needs reformed.

And we need to reform it ASAP.

But it's not getting changed mid-stream, mid-primary season. That's not fair to the candidates, any of them.

And it sure as HELL isn't getting changed under threat of violence or rioting.

I have fought against bullies and violence my entire life, and if that struggle needs to continue in Denver, it will. I will link my limbs with my fellow Democratic brothers and sisters in keeping with the traditions of Dr. King, and Gandhi before him.

I'm all for crashing the gate, but this isn't France and I will gladly join in preventing an American Bastille Day, especially one which would involve Dems against Dems.

Some here have provocatively posted pictures from 1968, in what can only be interpreted as seeking to intimidate those who oppose their candidate(s) and threatening physical conflict if they are not satisfied with the results of the nomination process.

This is not 1968, and Denver is not Chicago. Most Democrats don't respond well to threats, and I count myself among that group.

If you want to be part of a mob and riot, I suggest you take up residency in some skinhead or neo-fascist group.

If you want to protest non-violently, be my guest. That is what Dems have done for generations.

But if you seek to bully those of us who don't agree with you, or who don't share in your leanings, and who are opposed to rioting and physical intimidation of all manners -- be it against elected officials or a husband against his wife -- than you are sadly mistaken if you think we who have opposed such measures our entire lives will be amenable to capitulating to -- or having our representatives capitulate due to -- such methods.

And if you plan, despite all other available avenues -- including leaving the Party or voting Republican -- to riot in Colorado, anyways?

Then I, my friend, will see you in Denver. I'll be one of the many locked in arms, non-violently, seeking to prevent you and your fellow thugs from threatening my Party's National Convention.