Moe, this would entertain you on many levels By the by, love what Neil’s been doing on SOPA. Enjoyable to see both Right and Left getting revved up about this, since the tech world’s been screaming for a while to eh-effect.
(I’m saying that in jest, though, I really doubt you’re trying to portray protesters as criminals, T. More likely, you’re just playing off the danger of trouble makers who try to spark peaceful protests into full blown riots to serve their own purposes and desires. To me, this is a truly villainous action for the Hand, and it makes me more interested in them as villains. Also, it’s really just worth it to see Wheaties holding that tiny sign. Hilarious.)
While I doubt T will take it in this direction, I could see some observers accusing Mechtech, or possibly the Hand as a group, of being a police agent provocateur. In real-life protests that turn violent and draw violent police response, it’s often far from clear at first whom a given instigator is serving. The instigator could be serving: an extremist wing/altogether separate organization, who feels the protest organizers’ methods or goals are too meek and ineffective; the police, who want to make all protestors look bad and thereby discourage dissent (or justify their budget, or their powers); or simply the instigator’s own need for attention (“Look everybody, I’m on TV! Sure, I’m getting the s**t beaten out of me, but hey, it’s something.”). The larger the protest gathering, the more likely there is to be some of all three instigator-types.
You cannot address this subject without making some sort of statement. Even avoiding or glossing over the issue _is_ taking a stance on the matter at hand. As many other commenters above, I don’t think T Campbell is portraying anyone in a negative light here, but I think these cops confronting Link here should have been the ones deployed to deal with the protesters instead of those RL **sholes they sent instead.
Odd. Suddenly, I want to listen to my old Body Count and N.W.A. albums
I’ll personally vouch that there are a good number of cops who think that violence is acceptable “just cause”.
I’ll also say most are great officers who have been helpful and respectful. I’ve seen, especially lately, many times when one bully in cop’s clothing starts swinging or jumps at someone, other officers pull him back. I just wish they’d be more vocal about the violence they clearly do not condone.
As for agent provacaturs, cops physically subduing actively violent individuals, and plently of stupid and misinformation on both sides, well… yeah. Kinda par for the course with these sorta things, ain’t it?
I think that we need some exposition here about the extents and/or limitations of Mechtech’s abilities. She may be able to command and control electronic and/or electrical systems, but fails when it comes to purely or mainly mechanical systems (like Bax’s crossbow); in fact, she was unable to identify the crossbow as such (due no doubt to the fact that everyone she has encountered has “souped up” their weapons with electronics).
The reason I say this is that the taser she has hijacked must have an electronic trigger for her to commandeer; otherwise writer forgot that most tasers have a [CO2] gas propellant system for shooting the barbs at the target, with a trigger mechanism little different than that found in most air guns. But that’s just the engineer in me being an absolute **** about “real-world consistency”.
As far as the real world protesters go, not all of them were homeless, druggies, or whathaveyou to start with, but especially here in Canada those kinds of people quickly pushed out the more respectable protesters that actually cared about the movement (especially at the sites that stayed around for longer). The worst example of this is Vancouver, and when stuff like people biting firefighters that were sent in to put out a bonfire, at least 2 people dying of drug overdoses, and someone even pouring urine on a city worker, it’s time to pack up and go. I can get behind what they’re trying to do, and I could even get behind a good clean riot or two, but that kind of thing is just not right.
Faans protesters though are probably secretly happy that Animal got tazered though, as he showed up to a Wall Street protest with a giant (probably gold) bling $ around his neck.
Oh, this should be entertaining. Including on a meta-level.
Moe, this would entertain you on many levels
By the by, love what Neil’s been doing on SOPA. Enjoyable to see both Right and Left getting revved up about this, since the tech world’s been screaming for a while to eh-effect.
Fans, now co-written by Frank Miller.
(I’m saying that in jest, though, I really doubt you’re trying to portray protesters as criminals, T. More likely, you’re just playing off the danger of trouble makers who try to spark peaceful protests into full blown riots to serve their own purposes and desires. To me, this is a truly villainous action for the Hand, and it makes me more interested in them as villains. Also, it’s really just worth it to see Wheaties holding that tiny sign. Hilarious.)
*tch tch tch* Naughty naughty…
…These guys need to die. Badly.
Sadly, the current response to “police brutality, excessive force” seems to be “quick, photoshop it into the current meme and post it to Facebook”
Woa, edgy. This could get real political all of a sudden.
Knowing they were likely to be fingered for Vermith’s death, the Hand hide among a mob loaded with anti-authority sentiment. Smart move.
Also, gonna say it again.
Bellhop.
Is.
Gorzynsky.
Also, don’t ka-taze me, bro.
While I doubt T will take it in this direction, I could see some observers accusing Mechtech, or possibly the Hand as a group, of being a police agent provocateur. In real-life protests that turn violent and draw violent police response, it’s often far from clear at first whom a given instigator is serving. The instigator could be serving: an extremist wing/altogether separate organization, who feels the protest organizers’ methods or goals are too meek and ineffective; the police, who want to make all protestors look bad and thereby discourage dissent (or justify their budget, or their powers); or simply the instigator’s own need for attention (“Look everybody, I’m on TV! Sure, I’m getting the s**t beaten out of me, but hey, it’s something.”). The larger the protest gathering, the more likely there is to be some of all three instigator-types.
alicemacher taht’ll be a great way for the story to turn. But I’m agreeing with you odds are T’s not going to do that… Pitty…
You cannot address this subject without making some sort of statement. Even avoiding or glossing over the issue _is_ taking a stance on the matter at hand. As many other commenters above, I don’t think T Campbell is portraying anyone in a negative light here, but I think these cops confronting Link here should have been the ones deployed to deal with the protesters instead of those RL **sholes they sent instead.
Odd. Suddenly, I want to listen to my old Body Count and N.W.A. albums
I’ll personally vouch that there are a good number of cops who think that violence is acceptable “just cause”.
I’ll also say most are great officers who have been helpful and respectful. I’ve seen, especially lately, many times when one bully in cop’s clothing starts swinging or jumps at someone, other officers pull him back. I just wish they’d be more vocal about the violence they clearly do not condone.
As for agent provacaturs, cops physically subduing actively violent individuals, and plently of stupid and misinformation on both sides, well… yeah. Kinda par for the course with these sorta things, ain’t it?
I think that we need some exposition here about the extents and/or limitations of Mechtech’s abilities. She may be able to command and control electronic and/or electrical systems, but fails when it comes to purely or mainly mechanical systems (like Bax’s crossbow); in fact, she was unable to identify the crossbow as such (due no doubt to the fact that everyone she has encountered has “souped up” their weapons with electronics).
The reason I say this is that the taser she has hijacked must have an electronic trigger for her to commandeer; otherwise writer forgot that most tasers have a [CO2] gas propellant system for shooting the barbs at the target, with a trigger mechanism little different than that found in most air guns. But that’s just the engineer in me being an absolute **** about “real-world consistency”.
Also would love it if somebody from the protest itself punched Mechtech that’ll be fun to watch.
What -are- the requirements for MechTech’s control? That’s a good question.
Can’t just be electricity, ’cause humans basically run on it. Why control their weapons when you can stop synaptic activity?
Anyone else notice Wheaties holding up a sign and joining the protest? Who knew he was down like that?
@Taospark
Wheaties IS the monstrously huge 99%.
I’ll be particularly amused if the people Mechtech just turned to happen to be disguised Alpha Squad members.
As far as the real world protesters go, not all of them were homeless, druggies, or whathaveyou to start with, but especially here in Canada those kinds of people quickly pushed out the more respectable protesters that actually cared about the movement (especially at the sites that stayed around for longer). The worst example of this is Vancouver, and when stuff like people biting firefighters that were sent in to put out a bonfire, at least 2 people dying of drug overdoses, and someone even pouring urine on a city worker, it’s time to pack up and go. I can get behind what they’re trying to do, and I could even get behind a good clean riot or two, but that kind of thing is just not right.
Faans protesters though are probably secretly happy that Animal got tazered though, as he showed up to a Wall Street protest with a giant (probably gold) bling $ around his neck.
Maybe MechTech’s power works in a Magical Meta level only… Or something… Not got a clue only ideas of random.