April 19, 2016

"The history of our country is that nothing happens until people start putting their bodies on the line and risk getting arrested."

Said Ben of Ben & Jerry, who got arrested today, protesting, along with Jerry.

What were they protesting? I'm actually not sure! I read the material at their website, and I actually don't know:
Earlier today, our cofounders, Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen, along with hundreds of other activists, were arrested as part of Democracy Awakening’s direct action on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building.
They want more democracy? And they violated some law? Too vague. This isn't like sitting in at a lunch counter that's telling you they won't serve you because of race. If you're going to all the trouble to get arrested, could you also take the trouble to make sense and speak clearly?

43 comments:

Bay Area Guy said...

I reckon if I'd made millions making really delicious ice cream, I'd have a lot more time to do stupid things like this.

Limousine Liberals!

Achilles said...

""The history of our country is that nothing happens until people start putting their bodies on the line and risk getting arrested.""

Nobody cares about people getting arrested. Especially dirty hippies who spend their time pooping on cop cars and want more government but are really sad when more government throws them in jail.

No. Things happen when those of us who want to be left alone start to raise a ruckus.

n.n said...

They've engaged with special and peculiar interests to advocate for class diversity schemes that denigrate individual dignity, "=" exclusion under the State-established pro-choice church, anti-native policies to progress mass exodus from second and third-world nations, devaluation of capital and labor through currency/debt creation, abortion and cannibalistic rites to reduce carbon-based pollution, and non-renewable, low density (i.e. mass disruptive) "green" technologies in order to secure their environment and maintain [local] green lawns.

Paco Wové said...

"'Democracy Spring' plans to ask all candidates running for government positions, from president to the city council, to sign "Equal Voice for All" declaration, asking, among other things, to overturn Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision and restore protections against voter discrimination previously afforded under the Voting Rights Act."

In other words, TLB — typical lefty bullshit.

"Those who sign the statement will receive support from the group. Protesters plan to disrupt campaign and fundraising events of candidates who oppose it."

Tantrum-throwing: the new normal!

Anonymous said...

Not sure what the risk is around getting arrested. It's a badge of honor best I can tell from out here on the crater. Being tarred and feathered for annoying the majority or even grifting them out of something that left the common feeling cheatedeven though legal would be closer to putting your body at risk. You need a graph of T&F over time to see determine what risk is. And where B&J sit on the spectrum. And for that matter lynching when T&F didn't settle the passions of the common folk. Seeing B&J run out of town on a rail would be great fun. If only to show the masses "now this is risk for you" who think you're better than us.

Earnest Prole said...

Ben & Jerry Say Yes to Weed-Infused Ice Cream

JackWayne said...

You were wondering what "virtue signaling" is a few days ago. Here is one example.

Gahrie said...

We don't need more democracy..we need less...the government has grown and become more powerful as we have transitioned from a republic to a democracy.

First step is to repeal the remaining three Progressive amendments.

Chuck said...

Yeah, it is some vintage lefty bullshit.

~Overturn Citizens United v FEC

~Overturn Shelby County v Holder and restore all of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act (I guess).

~Remove congressional redistricting from state legislatures.

One of the things that is so interesting about this campaign is its focus on Supreme Court decisions. Citizens United, SpeechNow.org v FEC, Shelby County, and the dozens of cases on Section 5 "preclearances" leading up to last year's Arizona Redistricting Commission case. There's not much for Congress or the President to say about any of them.

And yet it is a real pity, that Donald Trump's low-brow, low-grade campaign may actually do some damage to conservatism's battles in these areas.

Mary Beth said...

The co-founders of Ben & Jerry's have been arrested at the U.S. Capitol as part of ongoing protests in Washington about the role of money in politics.

According to OpenSecrets.org, they both have donated to Bernie Sanders' campaign. So, they're not really against money in politics, they're against other people spending more money than they do in politics.

bagoh20 said...

I bet all their cellmates are social justice warriors too. Probably singing unity songs around the toilet.

Birches said...

My very libertarian friend posted the press release earlier today. One of his friends said this, "Wow, an article with lots of words that doesn't deliver the what the title promises." The title of the press release is, "Why Ben and Jerry got Arrested." It looks like you are in agreement with him.

I also love how the press release touts all the times they've used their corporation for speech, like "I Dough! I Dough!" ice cream, but would deny the same right to others.

Don't they have a Bernie branded ice cream? Would that be allowed without Citizens United?

Michael K said...

I suspect they are protesting Trump as the lefties who are doing so seem unable to explain why they are protesting.

It's one of those things that is hard to explain if you don't speak the language

Sebastian said...

"Too vague." Whaddayamean? Couldn't be clearer. Anti-American Progs who despise the actual country. Fall in line with your betters, you yahoos.

Big Mike said...

@Althouse, protesting is fun! At least it's fun now that police aren't going to leave the protesters with permanent brain damage as happened to John Lewis at Selma.

Tommy Duncan said...

"The history of our country is that nothing happens until people start putting their bodies on the line and risk getting arrested."

Well then, that explains Saturday nights in Chicago (and Detroit) (and Baltimore) (and Milwaukee) (and Indianapolis) (and _________).

Something must be happening...

CarlF said...

Mary Beth said,
So, they're not really against money in politics, they're against other people spending more money than they do in politics.


Ben and Jerry spend millions supporting progressive causes and candidates. They are not so much concerned about others spending more. Rather they are concerned about those who disagree spending anything at all.

mockturtle said...

I don't buy their ice cream, anyway.

Fabi said...

Democracy, my ass -- we're a Republic.

Arrested, my ass -- things didn't start happening at its inception until people got shot.

Paddy O said...

I'm protesting!

clint said...

It's like asking what Civil War Reenactors are putting their lives on the line to fight for.

They're engaging in a historical reenactment -- a religious rite that spiritually links them to the mythical heroes of our past.

Birches said...

+ 1, Paddy O

Joe said...

Even their website lacks any cogent thoughts, though apparently fighting to make politics not beholden to money requires a lot of groups with money (and lobbyists.)

At the very core of their idiocy is a constitution amendment to reduce free speech and, like most liberal shit, is extremely anti-democratic:

Section 1. To advance democratic self-government and political equality, and to protect the integrity of government and the electoral process, Congress and the
States may regulate and set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections.

Section 2. Congress and the States shall have power to implement and enforce this article by appropriate legislation, and may distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections.

Section 3. Nothing in this article shall be construed to grant Congress or the States the power to abridge the freedom of the press.

(I love section 3 since it contradicts the rest of their stupidity.)

MayBee said...

I wish Ben could have used the term "my white body".

MayBee said...

Joe- ha! Perhaps they will allow freedom to the presses that don't belong to corporations or other artificial entities.

Brad said...

"The history of our country is that nothing happens until people start putting their bodies on the line and risk getting arrested."

Why yes, everyone remembers the incarceration of Lexington & Concord, the mass arrests at Trenton, the victorious sting operations at Saratoga and Yorktown.

And, of course, who can forget the three day police raids of Gettysburg ....

Yep - nothing happens until people start risking arrest.

(Ben & Jerry are such self-important twits).

Anonymous said...

What do we want? TBA! When do we want it? Now!

A.W. said...

They link to this page explaining the protest:

http://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/democracy-awakening-2016

Cut and paste as needed, but the only clear message is "get money out of politics, so they seem to be mad about Citizens United...

...on a corporate website. Because hypocrisy.

Bill said...

I was living in the Haight district of San Francisco when Jerry Garcia died. A couple hours after the news hit, crowds of people assembled at the local Ben & Jerry's. I couldn't figure out why, at first, then remembered they'd named a flavor of ice cream after him.

goodterling said...

They're protesting the lack of Marxism. Same thing they're always protesting under a thousand different names.

YoungHegelian said...

If you're going to all the trouble to get arrested, could you also take the trouble to make sense and speak clearly?

Oh, teacher, you're no fun!

JCC said...

"...get money out of politics, so they seem to be mad about Citizens United..."

And convince businesses to boycott North Carolina, or Mississippi, or one of those redneck flyover places because of some bigotry, something, Christians or a Bible, anti-gay law, I dunno, because corporations have a conscience too, dude.

I have glaucoma. In the future. Something. Or Randy. Dude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJhELv4Ayt4

JCC said...

And I thought the '60's were Eff'd up. I'm beginning to hate this entire century.

But I blame the '60's.

Bay Area Guy said...

Vermont : population 625,000 - 95% White

Next, Ben & Jerry should protest the racist nature of Vermont by storming Montpelier and demanding the inclusion of more people of color in their state.

Victor Erimita said...

One of these days the vast majority of Americans are going to have to take some "direct action" on the asses of these insufferable little twits.

Smilin' Jack said...

If you're going to all the trouble to get arrested, could you also take the trouble to make sense and speak clearly?

Maybe they will. Hitler wrote 'Mein Kampf' in jail, and it became quite influential.

Brando said...

They were very good at making interesting and tasty (though pricy) iced cream, but when it came to running a business they had to sell before they ran it into the ground.

damikesc said...

One of the things that is so interesting about this campaign is its focus on Supreme Court decisions. Citizens United, SpeechNow.org v FEC, Shelby County, and the dozens of cases on Section 5 "preclearances" leading up to last year's Arizona Redistricting Commission case. There's not much for Congress or the President to say about any of them.

Note that arguing to undo Roe v Wade or the Obamacare decision are a waste of time in their eyes because "the law is settled". Funny how it's only settled when they like the verdict.

I want a President pmomising to suspend all enforcement of Title IX until Congress corrects it and makes it more clear. Then does the same for literally every other major piece of legislation. Stop allowing unaccountable bureaucrats to make law.

Then bring back the spoils system.

I was living in the Haight district of San Francisco when Jerry Garcia died. A couple hours after the news hit, crowds of people assembled at the local Ben & Jerry's. I couldn't figure out why, at first, then remembered they'd named a flavor of ice cream after him.

My youngest loves that flavor of ice cream. Which irks me since I hate Ben & Jerry and I despise the Grateful Dead.

DougWeber said...

What I always found wonderfully ironic is that the Ben and Jerry's in the Haight is literally at the corner of Haight and Ashbury.

Paco Wové said...

"I love section 3 since it contradicts the rest of their stupidity."

I suppose they put Section 3 in there as a band-aid to make the rest seem more palatable, but it actually makes it worse.

Kyzer SoSay said...

They should stick to what the're good at. Making me some bomb ass ice cream. On that note, I'm gonna start my car.

Sammy Finkelman said...

If you're going to all the trouble to get arrested, could you also take the trouble to make sense and speak clearly?

Not possible.

Chances are, the more clearly they would speak on this, the less sense they would make.

Rusty said...

No Ben. Or Jerry, or whatever. The people with their bodies on the line are our men and women in uniform. You're just some self-indulgent twat looking to make yourself feel good. You risk absolutely nothing.