??????????????????????????????????????????????????

What is unclear?

the police don't need guns though, that's what SWAT and the army is for. the police are well protected with tasers and pepper sprays.
Plus a big stick is an ineffective weapon as if you miss the momentum leaves you vulnerable. I bet there's five photos after that one where the protestor is on the ground and arrested.

Why it's a good argument for the Edinburgh Polis to carry guns ? From what I have seen they got the upper hand of the would be rioters fairly easily. Does the policeman in the photo look intimidated to you ? He's not even got riot gear on.

You know that you are very predictable. At the weekend 225,000 marched through the city and convened in the Meadows. A good natured peaceful family day. The Edinburgh Polis, again, corralled the black clad Euro Anarchists very easily on Saturday. The day passed trouble free. Do you post on that ? No. I was awaiting your first post on this, and just knew it would be of the minority making trouble.

Urbane, I wasn't commenting on the protest themselves, just on the fact that it looks a little ridiculous to have a cop with a stick and a protester with what looks like a bigger stick.

It is ironic that socialists are rioting against poverty in Africa. After all, it is the socialists in Africa that caused all the poverty.

Forgiving the African debt will allow the socialist despots to remain in power and avoid reforms. Without free-market reforms the African people are condemned to more death, deprivations and destruction.

These socialist mobs in Europe want those African despots to remain in power just as they wanted Saddam to remain in power. That's what they are rioting for.

Yup, videos of the riot show that the police definitely got the better of the thugs.

Nothing makes me smile broader than watching video of dirty hippies being beaten mercilessly.

'Cept for furry little puppies.

A GREAT reason to carry a gun in public!. The "Big One" can't come quick enough!

The funniest thing was that from here in Eastern Europe, when that footage made its way to CNN International, the commentator noted, "Protest here are all rather peaceful and well-organized."

Right. Just like Iraq is a quagmire. I proudly hung my Bush-Cheney shirt off my balcony here in Budapest for the 4th. Hope that ticked off some Eurotrash.

Claudio

I wonder if gillette should try advertising to the hippy crowd

A big thank you to Claudio for his t-shirt on the 4th.

And, of course the protests were all peaceful. Protests can't be violent unless it is the conservative (read: non-socialist/communist/anarchist) side protesting. Then all bets are off.

Claudio and Carlos. You are a pair of C's !