"Is that really the impression they want to give?"...that is a question which would be relevant only if the protestors were seriously interested in converting others to their point of view. Increasingly, that objective seems to be completely missing from much political activity, the objective being rather to (1)establish one's bona fides with others on the same side, and (2)howl one's rage to the universe.

Judith:

It's more likely that the terror supporters will bar such observers from their meetings and rallies rather than act more "politely". At least that's what the Muslims Students Assoc did at one of their week-long symposiums at the U of T did; close their meetings to people who were unlikely to be sympathizers on the basis that their presence would be intimidating to the various speakers. (Like Hillel would ever conduct themselves as the pro-terrorist types did when Netanyahu was invited to speak at Concordia a couple of years ago.)

Manners just ain't in the playbook of people who think attacking unarmed civilians is "legitmate resistance" and continue to ignore the fact that it is the Islamists who are not prepared to accept a political solution.

I'm afraid I agree with Mr. Foster. I wish these folks would modify their behavior, but they simply don't care.

The Pro-Hezbollah protester is attempting to shift paradigms, but the gears are grinding. Old Fashioned Western Liberal Protesting was the paradigm of "we're victims, morally right and we're taking our message to the streets, so please listen to us." This doesn't really mesh well with the Islamic Fascist Street Rally paradigm of "We're tough, mean warriors and we own the street, you'd better listen to us or you might get hurt."

Of course they don't understand the obvious disparity, so they end up with a confusing melange of "We're tough, mean victims and... and...we own the message, no, um.. let us please hurt you... no, that's not it..."

This is what happens when you shift paradigms without the clutch.

Ben