General Alexander doesn't have to act rude when he has the power of the NSA behind him. The only power we have in a situation like that is to be disruptive and to be rude. Why should we treat him with respect given all the disrespectful things that he's instrumental in?
Those in power keep trying to present this as a "conversation" or a "dialog," but that's absolute bullshit. They're not actually trying to have a conversation, so we shouldn't behave as if that's what's happening. The most powerful thing we could have done would have been to boo him off the stage.
The most powerful thing we could have done would have been to boo him off the stage.
Exactly this. I was hoping that when I clicked through on this story, that I would read about that happening. Sadly, twas not to be.
Even if it was a niche hacker conference that most "regular" people have never heard of, if he'd been booed off of the stage and the media had given it any attention at all, it would have been a symbolically meaningful moment and a powerful message.
A person standing up in the middle of the audience, and turning their back to him, and standing there for the entire presentation would have been much more powerful.
The problem with being disruptive and rude is that it is generally unpopular in America. So in the battle for "hearts and minds" (i.e. for positive press coverage), the intended message can become tainted by the delivery.
Here's one alternative idea: If you can organize enough people for it to look good on camera, a coordinated walk-out could be effective. Tip off a few key press folks in advance, so they know to shoot B roll of people walking out. Then you hold a short press avail in the hall outside the ballroom, delivering a statement with all the people who walked out massed behind you.
It's still confrontational, which the press likes, but it appears more civil and organized.
We shouldn't be criticizing the heckler for not being a good enough or different enough heckler, we should be criticizing everyone else who did nothing at all.
How well would it turn out for people to conduct in civil disobedience against a group that has clearly shown to have little respect for due process and civil rights?
Those in power keep trying to present this as a "conversation" or a "dialog," but that's absolute bullshit. They're not actually trying to have a conversation, so we shouldn't behave as if that's what's happening. The most powerful thing we could have done would have been to boo him off the stage.