10 Hostage Negotiators Prepare For GOP Convention

[babylonsister]

:wtf:

Police call communication key to convention peace

Police look to make personal contacts with protesters to soften disruptions at GOP convention

GREGG AAMOT
AP News

Jul 24, 2008 05:58 EST


Borrowing from a European model, Minneapolis and St. Paul police hope to quell any disruptions at this summer's Republican National Convention by exchanging cell phone numbers and offering other olive branches to demonstrators.

About 10 police officers — all schooled in hostage negotiation techniques — met with U.S. Justice Department officials and a handful of community peace workers Wednesday at a police academy in north Minneapolis to review the strategies.

The officers, dubbed "dialogue officers" or "free speech liaison officers," have been asked to open communication lines with activist leaders at the convention, which will be held Sept. 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

The hope, in part, is that the officers will be able to stay on top of any escalating violence or other problems and alert other officers or peaceful demonstrators.

"The whole goal is to try and reach out to groups that are going to protest. We recognize their free speech rights, but the concern on our end is that we don't want anybody to get hurt or have any property damage," said Bill Blake, a Minneapolis officer taking part in the initiative.

more...

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/07/police_call_communication_key.php

[islandmkl]

1. oh...i thought it was some sort of plan to break the bushco stranglehold on america...

if there was a true left-wing equivalent to rush & all, we would have been hearing 'America Held Hostage' for the past 7 years...

[hobbit709]

2. Is McCain planning on holding Ron Paul Hostage or vice versa?

[librechik]

3. Hi, I'm Officer Jones, MPD. Wanna exchange cell phone numbers, hippie?"

I really thought it was something different--like negotiating with the crooks in the GOP. (sigh)

[TooBigaTent]

4. Very bad idea to tip your hand by communicating with the Gestapo. Don't make their job easier.

[FSogol]

5. I'm glad they will be there....

a lot of freepers will have to be talked off the window ledge after they hear McSame speak.

[babylonsister]

7. Hahaha! Maybe so. I can't even imagine wanting to be there; if I had

a choice, I'd much rather go to Denver. As it is, I'm considering DC in January. ;)

[Turbineguy]

6. "Vote Republican or we'll shoot this child!"

This may be a wise move.